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THE 

LIBERTY 

BOOK 




Note — All or any portion of this booklet may be 
reproduced by giviug proper credit to the publishers 



Published and Copyrighted 1918 by 

INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY 

II OF New Jersey (Inc.) 

AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION DEPARTMENT 

p. G. HoLDEN. Director 
HARVESTER BUILDINCx, CHICAGO 



AE 448-5-15-18 



E3 ' g 



Agriculture 

1VTEVER before in the 
^ ^ history of the world 
have we been so im- 
pressed with the great 
importance of Agricul- 
ture 

Upon it, in time of peace 
or in time of war, de- 
pend tha :Life, Liberty 
and Well-being of the 
world. 



[F^ 



^ K0V2O59i8_. ^ 

(Q) CI. A T) u « () (i .1 



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VVVVV\AVWVVVVWVWWA^^AM^WVVyVV^^iAAW^WW^VSA^ 



Patriotism of the Soil 



w 



E glory in the patriotism of arms, but we 
do not fully realize the equally essential 
patriotism of the soil. 



The farmer's service to his country is as great 
as that of any man engaged in the world war, 
for our most decisive line of defense must be our 
farms, our gardens and our orchards. 

America has vast resources, but one of the 
basic principles of national preparedness lies in 
the soil. Food is the chief material concern of 
life— a nation can be no more self-sustaining or 
self-protecting than its lands will enable it to be. 
No nation can be any greater factor in the world's 
progress than its soil makes possible. 

It will take years to completely restore the 
depleted resources of the warring nations. 

People must be fed. 

To feed her own people — to help feed the 
people of other nations, is America's obHgation 
to the world. 

This is the patriotism of the soil. 



■lft/vvvvvvtfvvv^^w^wJ^^^rJv^w^A^MA^^^v^^^^^w^uvvvA 



AGRICULTURE 
THE GREATEST IWDUSTRY 

us, CENSUS 1910 

CAPITAL INVESTED 



AGRICULTURE 
MFG & RYS 



PEC 


PLE EMPLOYED 
12.600.000 


AGRICULTURE 


10.800.000 

^^^ooooo 

5.300.000 
1.800000 


MFG & MECH 


TRADES-TRANS 


DOMESTIC 


PROFESSIONAL 



AGRICULTURE THE GREATEST INDUSTRY 

IN the United States there are about 40,000,000 people engaged 
in money-making pursuits. Of these, about 13,000,000 are 
engaged in agricultural work; 10,800,000 in manufacturing 
and mechanics; about 5,300.000 in domestic service. (This class 
needs some explanation. It includes keepers and employes of 

hotels, restaurants, boarding 
and rooming houses and laun- 
dries, bootblacks, umbrella 
menders and scissor grinders, 
employes of saloons and dance 
halls, and of some minor occu- 
pations. It does not include 
housewives, who are classed in 
the U. S. Census Report 
as having "no occupation.") 
Seven million, six hundred 
thousand are employed in 
trades and transportation, and 
1,000,000, or only 5 per cent 
of the workers, are in the professions — law, medicine, teaching, 
ministry, etc. 

Yet for years our school system has been based on the needs 
of that 5 per cent. 

Isn't it about time that we gave some consideration to the 
other 95? 

Trade schools and manual training have been receiving con- 
sideration for several years, but it is only very recently that we 
have begun to give any attention to this largest group of all — 
the agriculturists, who comprise 33 per cent of our working popu- 
lation. 

Not only that 5 per cent, but all these boys and girls have 
a right to ask that the schools give them some training for carrying 
on their work in the world. 

It is not practical to educate all the 25,000,000 school chil- 
dren of the United States for the professions, if less than 2,000,000 
of them can find employment in those lines. 

Training in agriculture will result in a general improvement 
in agricultural practices, and the direct and immediate result of 
this improvement is better homes, better schools, and better 
education. 



LOST— FIVE BILLION DOLLARS 

THE principles of good business observed in manufacturing 
or commercial pursuits, apply also to the business of farm- 
ing. This is especially true at this time when efficiency in 
every line of endeavor is imperative. 

On the farms of the United States there is an average annual 
loss of about 30 per cent of the gross income, and all this waste 
can be prevented. 

The principal sources of this loss are as follows: 
Failure to test seed corn, more than $100,000,000; improper 
harvesting and storing of seed corn, millions of dollars in yield 
and quality; planting of imported seed corn, cannot te estimated; 




Exposins farm macJjincry to the weather costs thousands of dollars every 
year. Implements should be kept under cover when not in use. 



ravages of corn root worm, more than $100,000,000; waste of corn- 
stalks left in field instead of being put in silo, at least $500,000,000 ; 
failure to treat small grains for smut, $35,000,000 ; waste of manure 
through careless handling, $100,000,000; weeds, $300,000,000; hog 
cholera, over $65,000,000; Texas fever cattle tick, nearly 
1500,000,000; "scrub" dairy cows, $745,000,000; for depreciation of 
farm machinery and tools from failure to house or care for them ; 
soil erosion resulting from one-crop system of agriculture ; and for 
carelessness, neglect, shiftlessness — because we are in the rut — 
we will charge $2,500,000,000 more. 



Waste Is the Eneniv of Thrift 



Easy To Prevent Losses 

It is an easy matter to harvest seed corn at the right time and 
to store it where it will be protected from the vreather. It costs 
about 15 cents to test enough seed corn to plant an acre, so why 
not test it? The corn root worm can be easily starved out by 
crop rotation, and corn stalks can be converted into the best of 
succulent feed by placing them in the silo. 

The treatment of small grain for smut with formaldehyde 
requires but Httle time and costs but 1 cent a bushel; and the 
proper use and care of manure is met by the use of the manure 
spreader. 

Kill the weeds with profitable crops. Hog cholera can be 
prevented. The dippmg vat will eradicate the Texas fever cattle 
tick. The milk scales, the Babcock test, and the feed and milk 
record will do away with the "boarder cow." Don't you think 
it worth while? 

Let us all get busy and do all we can to stop these tremendous 
losses. Let us put these miUions into Liberty Bonds and help 
Uncle Sam win the war. 




Annually $100,000,000 worth of manure is wasted throus;h failure to spread and 
by exposure to the weather, allowing the fertility to leach away. 



EGG CROP LOSS $50,000,000 A YEAR 

AT present prices the value of poultry products in the United 
States is fully three-quarters of a billion dollars annually. 
It should be much more. 
Government reports show that poultry is raised on only 
4,000,000 out of 6,000,000 farms in the country; that the average 
number of fowls to the farm is 50, while in Iowa it is 130, and that 
the average farm hen produces 60 eggs a year, when with proper 
feed and care she would produce 100 eggs or more. 

If the 6,000,000 farms in the United States had an average 
of 100 chickens each and each hen produced 100 eggs a year, 
the annual income from eggs at present prices would be nearly 
$2,000,000,000. 




60 Egga — What the Average Farm Hen 
Produces 



120 Eggs— What She Should Produce 



These figures show the possibilities of the poultry industry. 

Since the beginning of the war our annual exports of eggs 
have been increased from 16,000,000 to 26,000,000 dozen. 

Large flocks of poultry are needed on every farm and every 
farmer should keep his young pullets, which will soon be his best 
layers. Get rid of the roosters. Avoid wasteful methods in 
handling poultry and in marketing eggs. 

Enormous Waste in Eggs 

The waste in eggs in the United States every year amounts 
to nearly $50,000,000. It is estimated that 17 per cent of all 
the eggs produced in this country become unfit for human food 

7 



Get Out of the Scrub Class 



before reaching the consumer because of careless methods of 
handhng. 

These losses can be prevented very largely by producing 
infertile eggs, by keeping the nests clean, by careful handling, by 
gathering eggs daily, by storing them in a cool, dry place, and by 
marketing them at least once a week and twice a week if possible. 

Few people understand that eggs are almost as perishable 
as meat or milk ; that eggs will not stand any kind of treatment. 
Eggs belong to the same class of food as meat. If we do not 
produce more eggs, let us at least care for our present production 
— that is a duty as well as good business. 



SCRUB METHODS MAKE SCRUB PEOPLE 

" As I was coming along the road this afternoon," said a 

r\ well-known lecturer in addressing an audience in a rural 

school in Texas, "I saw scrub cows, scrub pigs, a scrub 

barn, scrub fences and a scrub house. And now what else do you 

think I saw, children?" he asked. 

Instantly a little girl in the audience sprang to her feet and 
replied: 

"I know, you saw a scrub man." 

Unconsciously the child uttered a great truth. 

Wherever we find poor livestock, fences that are falling down, 
barns and houses that need painting and repairing, and a general 
air of neglect around the place we are sure to find scrub people. 
We are judged by what we have about us; by the quality of our 
live stock; by the general appearance of our homes. 

If we employ scrub methods of farming, we will have scrub 
farms. 

Cattle standing knee deep in mud and manure, hogs wallowing 
in mire, fence corners filled with weeds higher than the fence, 
piles of manure washing away and losing their value as fertihzer, 
farm machinery left out in the rain and storm, open wells, poultry 
roosting in trees and laying eggs in the tall grass because there is 
no poultry house, corn stalks going to waste in the field for lack 
of a silo — these are a few of the scrub things that make scrub 
farms and scrub people. 

We must quit doing things in a scrub way if we are to help 
win the war — for this is no scrub war. 



FIGHT WEEDS WITH PROFITABLE CROPS 

THE labctt' of a human being is the most precious thing on 
earth. Why waste it fighting weeds? If your work brings 
you in contact with weeds, for the sake of Liberty, fight 
them with profitable crops — fight them with corn, oats, wheat, 
hay, hogs, sheep, and cattle. 

It is estimated that a man walks eight miles in plowing an 
acre once over. Multiply this by harrowing, cross harrowing, 
and cultivating two or three times, and in the end figure that all 
this labor has been given to the production of a crop which is 
only two-thiids as large as it would have been if it had not been 
choked by weeds. 




Weeds cul dowu the yi«-l(l of coru. 

Weeds cut down the yield, damage the crop, cheapen the 
product, reduce the profits, rob the soil, injure stock, reduce land 
values. Weeds cost the farmers of the United States more than 
$300,000,000 according to government estimates. There is great 
loss from dockage of grain from weed seeds. 

The weed which is best able to cope with difficulties is the 
weed which survives. These veteran weeds are the enemy-weeds 
of the farmer. There are thousands of them against which to 
wage war. They are thrifty and prolific. 

A single plant of shepherd's purse may produce as many as 
50,000 seeds ; squirrel tail produces 300 to 2,000 ; plantain may bear 
3,000 per plant; foxtail, from 1,000 to 5,000 seeds; stinkweed, 
20,000 seeds; the Russian thistle from 100,000 to 200,000 seeds; 
one mustard plant, one and one-half million seeds, and so on. 
Compare these prolific soil robbers with our food-producing plants. 

9 



Every Weed Is a Blow to Liberty 

Some of the Bad Weeds 

But there are other weeds — milkweed, smartweed, Spanish 
needle, mustard, peppermint, tansy, poison hemlock, jimson, 
morning-glory, ragweed, velvet leaf, purslane, quack grass, wild 
garlic, Canada thistle, ox-eye daisy, bindweed, orange hawkweed. 
Johnson grass, sorrel, wild oats, and 50 others that aie common 
in every state. 

Weed seeds are spread chiefly by sowing impure seed, by 
scattering weed seeds in feeding hay, straw, screenings, and in 
manure; by winds, water, and snow; by animals and birds; by 
farm machines and railroads; by weeds allowed to flourish in 
waste places. 

Weed Reinedies 

The problem is how to get rid of weeds and keep them out. 

First, rotate the crops; cultivate frequently and thoroughly; 
cut the weeds before they go to seed; screen all seed. 

If your wheat field is weedy, seed it to clover and blue grass; 
mow the annuals and biennials before they seed, pasture with 
sheep or hogs to keep down the perennials ; follow by a cultivated 
crop to kill any lingering weeds, and you will have disposed of 
most varieties. 

To allow land to go to waste is an economic crime. 

Use it! Farm it! Grow foodstuff's, not weeds I 



DO THE DUTY THAT LIES 
NEAREST YOU 

"The world will be redeemed; it is being re- 
deemed ; not by those who threaten and demand, 
but by the men and women who do the duty that 
lies nearest them." 



10 



WASTE— WASTE—WASTE 

HUNDREDS of tons of human food are wasted every day in 
Chicago and corresponding amounts in every other city in 
the United States. 
The sources of this waste are: 

1. Improper care of fruits and vegetables in wholesale and 
retail stores. 

2. Failure to dispose of them before they spoil. 

3. Table and kitchen "left-overs" from hotels, restaurants, 
and dwellings. 

4. Waste of products on the farm before they reach the 
markets. 

5. Waste of products in transit from farm to market. 




Barrels of decaying fruit and vegetables wailing for the garbage wagon. 

Barrels and boxes filled with decaying fruits and vegetables 
are daily gathered up by city garbage wagons from the rear of 
Chicago commission houses and taken to the municipal reducing 
plant, where the fats are converted into glycerine, a small portion 
of the rest made into tankage, and the balance destroyed. Be- 
tween 400 and 500 tons of garbage is taken to the plant every 
day. It contains about 2 per cent of fats and 25 per cent of 
tankage. 

While this is a reduction of 35 per cent as compared with 
1916, much of this waste of human food could be prevented if the 
produce were disposed of at reduced prices or given away before 
it spoiled. 

11 



Convert Garbage Into Pork 



Garbage from the larger hotels, restaurants, and many flats 
is sold to private scavengers. In hundreds of flats the garbage 
is burned. This garbage, which aggregates more than 500 tons 
daily, contains a much larger per cent of fats— so needful for food 
— than that taken to the municipal plant. Much of this waste 
would be stopped if we were careful not to order or cook more 
than we can eat, or were more careful to serve in appetizing 
dishes what is left over from previous meals. 

Over 100,000,000 bushels of potatoes of the last season's crop 
were wasted. 

Waste! Waste! Waste! Enough food is wasted in the 
United States to drive the grim specter, hunger and want, from 
every war-stricken home in Europe. Let us all put our hearts 
into this great work of conservation. 



WE SHOULD NOT BURN GARBAGE 

WE should not burn any of our kitchen garbage. Burning 
garbage is a serious form of waste. 
Even though we reduce our garbage to the minimum, 
it will still contain much matter that can be converted into human 
food. 

If we are so situated that we can raise a pig or some poultry, 
this garbage can be fed to them and come back to us in the form 
of meat or eggs. 

In towns and cities garbage disposal is chiefly a matter for 
community co-operation. 

If the community has no reducing plant where the garbage 
may be converted into glycerine or soap, the city or town authori- 
ties should provide a herd of hogs to which garbage may be fed. 

Four hundred hogs are fattened from the garbage from a 
chain of restaurants in Omaha. One hundred of these hogs are 
ready for market every three months. 

Hull, Massachusetts, has a herd of 325 hogs, which convert 
garbage into pork. 

Young pigs were purchased by the Town's Committee of 
Pubhc Safety and one man hired to take charge of them. The 
use of land for housing and pasturing was donated, and the only 
expense was the cost of the pigs, and houses, and the wages of 
the manager. 

Any town can do what Hull is doing. 

12 



MAKE POTATO WAR BREAD— MEANS TEN 
WHEATLESS DAYS A MONTH 

IT is hardly possible to estimate from a standpoint of food 
conservation the great value of potatoes as a substitute for 
wheat and other grains in the making of bread. 

One hundred million bushels of small potatoes will save 
75,000,000 bushels of wheat. About 30 per cent of the annual 
potato crop in the United States consists of small potatoes which 
are unmarketable, made little use of, practically wasted, almost 
a total loss to the country. The small potatoes can be substituted 
for one-third the wheat flour used in making bread. Potato 
bread is better bread in every way than bread made entirely of 
wheat or a combination of wheat and other grains. 

It is widely reported that because of a lack of transportation 
from the points of production to the centers of consumption, hun- 
dreds of thousands of bushels of potatoes will rot this spring. 
This tremendous waste of one of our staple foods could have been 
entirely prevented if the people of the United States had known 
of the great value of potatoes in bread making as a substitute for 
wheat flour. It is not too late now to reduce the waste to a min- 
imum. Transportation is not at this time and never has been the 
problem of utilizing the potato crop and preventing waste. 

Use Potatoes Where They Are 

Nearly 60 per cent of the people of the United States reside 
on the farms and in the small towns where the potatoes were 
produced and where bread is made in the homes instead of in 
commercial bakeries. And ov^r h...f the enormous 1917 crop of 
potatoes is still in these rural districts. 

The use of potatoes as a substitute for one-third the wheat in 
making bread is not a question of transporting potatoes over con- 
gested railroads, but of using them where they are before they rot 
and go to waste. It is a question of relieving transportation by 
using the potatoes without having to move them. 

The production of potatoes to the acre is eight times that of 
wheat, barley, rye, or corn. Everybody has potatoes. They can- 
not be carried over. They must be used now or they will spoil. 

Potato bread is both better bread and cheaper bread. It 
saves wheat for our soldiers without taking a single pound of 
feed away from our live stock. Not only is it patriotic to use 
potatoes in making bread; it is good business. 

13 



Use Potatoes; Save Wheat 1^?^> 



>» 



The use of potatoes in bread is economical at any time. 
It is patriotic at this time; it utihzes waste potatoes; saves wheat 
and other grain which can be exported; saves corn, barley and 
oats which can be used to produce meats and fats for our soldiers; 
gives us white, moist and wholesome bread for every meal; does 
not require extra work for the housewife, nor change the usual 
custom and practices of the home; means two and one- third 
wheatless days a week, 10 wheatless days a month, four wheatless 
months a year. 

Saves Waste of Potatoes 
Potatoes are grown in eve^ y section of the country, found in 
every home, are a universal food. Every family can produce them. 
Potatoes are an abundant crop in the United States; the possi- 
bilities of increasing the total yield in this country cannot be 
estimated. Potatoes are a perishable crop — cannot be exported 
to foreign countries, cannot be carried over from one season to 
another. The potatoes we grow in this country we must use at 
home. The nature of potato starch is so nearly the same as wheat 
flour that there is no difficulty in using this combination in bread 
making. 

Last season the farmers of the United States produced about 
440,000,000 bushels of potatoes. About 100,000,000 bushels of 
this crop were small, irregular, unmarketable potatoes. 

In no other way can so great a saving be made in food in 
America with so Uttle labor and so small expense as the use of 
small potatoes in the making of bread in place of small grains 
which can bs shipped to our soldiers and the fighting armies of 
the alUes to help us win this war. 

Rice, oatmeal, rolled oats, barley, graham, buckwheat, milo 
or kafir flour, peanut meal, etc., any substitute flour or grain, 
except corn meal, may be used with one- third potato and one- 
third white flour, and will produce very palatable bread. 

Bread made of one-third potato, one- third corn meal, and 
one-third white flour, sours before it gets light. 

Increases Value of Potatoes 

When potatoes are worth 132 cents a pound wholesale and 
flour is selling at 6 cents a pound retail, potatoes are worth fully 
135 per cent more when made into bread than when sold on the 
market. A bushel of potatoes worth 90 cents will replace flour 
worth at least $2.12. 

14 



Potatoes Cheaper Than Flour 



In making potato bread, a cup of boiled and riced potatoes, 
weighing 7J^ ounces, replaces a cup of flour, weighing 5J^^ ounces. 
Gn this basis it will require 67 pounds of riced potatoes to take the 
place of 49 pounds of flour. 

Experiments show that during the process of boiling, peeUng 
and ricing potatoes lose from 10 to 20 per cent, according as 
they are boiled or baked, or are peeled before or after cooking. 
On the basis of 20 per cent loss, it would require 833^ pounds 
of raw, unpeeled potatoes to make 67 pounds of cooked and riced 
potatoes. 

At 13^ cents a pound, 83}^ pounds of potatoes are worth 
$1.25. But when used in making bread, they are worth as much 
as the flour they replace, or $2.95. On the same basis a bushel of 
potatoes, quoted at 90 cents on the market, would be worth $2.12 
if made into bread. 

If a farmer took a bushel of potatoes to market and invested 
the 90 cents he received for them in flour, he would get but 15 
pounds. But if his wife used the bushel of potatoes in making 
bread, she would save 353^ pounds of flour. 

We should not let our potatoes rot. Every bushel that goes 
to waste represents at least 353/^ pounds of flour, or its equiv- 
alent in wheat, so badly needed by our allies and our boys at the 
front. On the basis of ^}/2 bushels of wheat to a barrel of flour, 
the 120,000,000 bushels of small potatoes wasted nearly every year 
will save over 93,000,000 bushels of wheat. 



The first of these loaves was one third sweet potato: the second, one third 
Irish potato; the third, all wheat flour. 

15 



Potato Bread Is Better Bread 



How to Make Potato War Bread 



Heat milk to boiling point, then cool to 
luke-warm. Bake or boil potatoes, then 
mash or put through ricer. Dissolve 
yeast cake in the milk. Make a sponge 
as follows: Mix milk, yeast cake, salt, 
sugar, all the mashed or riced potatoes 
and yi of the flour. Beat well, let stand 
over night to rise. In the morning add 
balance of flour — let rise again until 
double in bulk; mold into a loaf; let rise 
again to double in bulk ; bake 40 minutes 
in a moderate oven. A little more flour 
will be needed if potatoes are not mealy. 

Potato Biscuits 

Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar 
together. Work butter or lard into flour, 
add potatoes which should be boiled or 
baked and put through ricer, then add 
milk to make a dough which can be easily 
handled on board. Roll out about ]/2 
inch thick, cut with biscuit cutter and 
bake 15 minutes in a quick oven. 



/^ cup sweet milk 

1 cup potato 

1 cup flour 

1 cup svibstitute 

flour except corn 

meal 
1 teaspoon salt 
1 teaspoon sugar 
J/2 yeast cake 



These measures make 
one loaf. Increase in- 
gredients according to 
number of loaves you 
wish to make. One yeast 
cake will make 3 or 4 
loaves. 



1 cup flour 

1 cup substitute ex- 
cept corn meal 

1 cup potato 

3 teaspoons baking 
powder 

1 scant teaspoon salt 

1 tablespoon butter 
or lard 

1 teaspoon sugar 

Sweet milk to make a 
dough which can be 
rolled for biscuit. 

Potato Doughnuts 

1 cup sugar Mix sugar, spices, salt, and shortening. 

teasp'n short'ng Add well-beaten egg and milk. Beat well, 
and add flour and baking powder which 
have been sifted together. Mold on 
board and roll to 3^ inch thick ; cut with 
doughnut cutter and fry in deep fat. 



1 egg 

]/2 cup sweet milk 
34teasp'ncinnamon 
3^ teasp'n nutmeg 

2 teaspoons baking 
powder 

1 cup riced potatoes 

2 cups flour 

3^ teaspoon salt 



16 



WAR JOHNNY CAKE 

Ingredients 

Corn Meal, 1 cup; Boiling Water, 4 cups; 
Salt, 1 teaspoon. 

No Milk, No Eggs, No Baking Powder, 
No Soda. 

These measurements make three cakes baked 
in pie tins. 

Method 

Pour the boiling water on the corn meal and 
salt, about one cupful at a time, stirring briskly to 
keep from forming lumps. Pour this batter into 
well buttered hot pie tins. Spread evenly over 
tins, then take a tablespoonful of cream and 
smooth over the top. (This makes a brown crust 
on the top when baked.) 

How To Bake 

Bake in a hot oven about 40 minutes. 
Eaten with butter as a breakfast dish it is 
delicious. 



A LITTLE SAVED BY EACH MEANS MORE 
FOOD FOR ALL 

If each of the 22,000,000 famiUes in the United States saved, 
each week — 

One pound of wheat flour. One pound of beef. One 
pound of pork. One pound of sugar — 

This would mean — 

Four hundred and fifty thousand sacks or 112,500 barrels of 
flour a week. 

Three pounds of beef a week to each of 7,335,000 soldiers. 
One-half pound of pork a day to each of 6,000,000 soldiers. 
Four ounces of sugar a day to each of 12,000,000 soldiers and 
civilians in the war stricken countries. 

17 



MONEY WILL NOT BUY FOOD IF THERE IS 
NO FOOD TO BUY 

WHILE farmers and gardeners have been using every 
means possible to increase our production of foodstuffs, 
housewives can do much to prevent food shortage by 
practicing household economy. 

America may have great wealth, but money will not buy 
food if there is no food to buy. 

The waste of food in the United States is enormous. Accord- 
ing to the health commissioner of Chicago there has been a daily 
waste of 1,200,000 pounds of food in Chicago — one-half of which 
could have been used. 

This means that for every resident of Chicago, one-fourth of 
a pound of wholesome food is thrown away each day. 

This is nearly equal to the daily allowance of food per person 
in Germany. 

There is similar waste in every city in America. There is 
waste in every home. There is waste in the preparation of food, 
and there is waste in its consumption. The wasted food of the 
United States would feed a nation. 

The man who buys more than he can eat is contributing to 
the shortage of food. The housewife who sets before her family 
more than the family can or should eat, or who neglects to make 
over into palatable food that which may be left from the meat, 
is equally wasteful; and to over-eat is not only wasteful, £ind 
unhealthful, but unpatriotic. 

All Europe is hving on half rations and the people are much 
more healthy for it. 

We must practice household economy — we must double our 
available food supply by saving the half we now w aste, and we 
will. 



The American People are not asked to starve 
themselves. They should eat plenty — but 
wisely and without waste. 



18 



HELP WIN THE WAR BY CONSERVING 
THE NATION'S FOOD 

Save Wheat 

Observe Wheatless Day. 

Have one wheatless meal each day. 

Use corn, rye, barley, and potatoes for breads, puddings, 

gravies, etc. 
Save Meat 

Observe Meatless Day. 

Serve only once daily on other days. 

Use fish, game, eggs, poultry, cheese, milk, beans, peas. 

Use left-overs. 
Save Milk 

Don't waste skim and sour milk. 

Use less cream. 

Make cottage cheese. 
Save Fats 

Fry out all meat trimmings. 

Don't use butter in cooking. 

Don't waste soap. 

Boil food and save fats. 
Save Sugar 

Use syrups and honey 

Eat less candy. 
Eat More Vegetables and Fruits 

I feel confident that the splendid volunteer spirit of service 
of the American people will demonstrate itself in solving our 
food problem and that all American producers, manufacturers, 
merchants and consumers will work together towards a common 
end.— Dr. R. L. Wilbur. 



The Fertility of the Soil is the Capital Stock 
of the Nation's Business 

The farm is the greatest purchasing power. Develop 
the agricultural and commercial interests within your trade 
territory and your town will build itself. The purchasing 
power of a town depends upon the productive power of the 
farms tributary to it. 



19 



T 



GET RID OF RATS AND MICE 

HE rat is man's most relentless foe. It is more destructive 
to property than all the great conflagrations of history; more 
destructive to human hfe than all the world's wars. 
It is the apostle of pestilence, the creator of famine, the 

messenger of death. 

It fattens off the 
health and wealth and 
labor of the human 
race. With silent and 
venomous persistence 
it follows mankind 
from the cradle to the 
grave, attacking the 
infant in its sleep, the 
helpless sick on the 
bed of pain, the aged 
and infirm. 

It devours with 
ravenous greed every 
nature of food for man 
or beast. It destroys 
our poultry, annoys 
and injures our do- 
mestic animals, dev- 
astates our growing 
grain, destroys our 
harvest. It infests our 
ships, sets fire to our 
homes, carries fatal 
diseases broadcast 
thi'ough the land. 

And not content 
to menace man's pros- 
perity, health and welfare all the days of his hfe, it follows him 
into the grave to desecrate and mutilate his mortal remains. 

Not only do rats and mice destroy food, but they have been 
known to destroy furniture, bedding, clothing, books, valuable 
papers, harness and personal property of all kinds. They injure 
buildings by undermining foundations or causing the early 
decay of sills and timbers. They kill trees and shrubbery by 

20 




Every Year Rats Destroy Millions of Dollars' Worth of 
Wheat and Other Grains \^'hile America Is Making 
Every Effort to Feed the People Made Hungry by 
the Devastation of War. 



Co-operatioii Works Wonders 



gnawing off the roots; set fire to buildings by gnawing matches 
or stripping the insulation from electric wires; flood buildings 
with water or gas by gnawing through lead pipes; weaken dams 
and dikes, causing heavy losses. 

In the United States rats and mice each year destroy crops 
and other property valued at over $200,000,000, according to 
the Department of Agriculture. Government officials declare it 
costs $1.82 to keep a rat a year. 

But the loss of property is trivial in comparison to the loss 
of human lives caused by rats, which thrive amid filth and carry 
pollution with them. Millions of human beings have died of 
bubonic plague conveyed to man mainly by the rat flea. Trich- 
inosis among hogs, fatal to human life, is communicated mostly 
by rats. Ptomaines, "septic pneumonia," typhoid, scarlet fever, 
diphtheria and other diseases are also believed to be caused in 
many cases by rats. 

Rats and mice multiply rapidly, breeding from six to 10 
times a year and bringing forth from six to 10 at a litter. It is 
estimated that the increase from one pair, if undisturbed, will 
amount to 20,155,000 in three years and 940,370,000,000 in five 
years. 

There is no easy way to get rid of rats, but it can be done with 
intelligent and persistent effort, if active co-operation among 
neighbors is ' secured. 

The homes and breeding places of the rats must be destroyed. 
They must be starved, killed or driven away. Rat-proof buildings 
and rat-proof bins and cribs for the storing of grain will do much 
towards ridding a farm of them. 

Outdoor wood piles or any place where rubbish and tin cans 
are dumped give excellent protection to rats. A general cleaning 
up of the premises and the entire neighborhood is the first step in 
a rat campaign. 

Keep food away from rats. Have rat-proof garbage cans 
and keep them covered. Where food is plenty, rats will con- 
gregate and remain and it is hard to trap or poison them. 

There is always danger in using poison. It is better to make 
generous use of the m.any kinds of rat traps. A frequent rat 
drive or "kilhng" will prove effective. Cats are poor rat catchers 
and few dogs are better. Owls are helpful in getting rid of rats, 
and a pine snake or bull snake will do more than all the other 
agencies together in killing or driving away rats. 



SWEET CLOVER, IMPORTANT FARM CROP 

SWEET clover, otherwise known as melilotus or bee clover, 
has been commonly regarded as a weed and a nuisance, but 
experiments made by practical farmers to determine its 
adaptability to various climates, its feeding value and its effect 
upon the soil, have shown it to be an important farm crop. 

It thrives in great extremes of temperature and grows readily 
in soils too poor for alfalfa and where other grasses failed to 
produce a crop. 

Before condemning it, consider the following facts: 

Advantages of Sweet Clover 

1. It is not a weed. 

2. Like alfalfa, it is rich in 
protein. 

3. Will not bloat cattle or 
sheep. 

4. Is equal to alfalfa for 
pasture. 

5. Is a great milk producer. 

6. Furnishes early spring 
pasture. 

7. Contains more protein 
than red clover. 

8. Fits well in crop rotation. 

9. Is a great soil enriching 
crop. 

10. Is better than any of the 
common clovers as a green 
manure crop. 

11. Is a valuable plant for 
honey bees. 

Wonderful Growth of Nodules. Containing 12. PrCparCS thc Soil for 
the Nitrogen Gathering Bacteria, on ip in 

Upper Portion of Sweet ailalia. 

13. Roots are soft and give no 
trouble in plowing. 

14. Its roots, being tender, become inoculated more readily than 
alfalfa. 

15. Never damages cultivated crops. 

16. Its roots decay rapidly, adding much nitrogen and humus to 
the soil. 

17. Grows and will produce a crop in all parts of the United States. 

22 




and 



18. Seeds freely in both humid and dry sections. 

19. Prevents erosion of the soil. 

20. Will grow under conditions where clover and alfalfa fail: 

(a) On land too low, too wet, or alkali for alfalfa. 

(b) On land too hard and compact for alfalfa. 

(c) On soil too poor for alfalfa, especially where there is lime. 

Disadvantages 

1. If neglected and allowed to grow too large, stems become 
hard and bitter and leaves fall off. 

2. Frequently stock do not eat it readily until they become 
accustomed to it. 

Sweet clover needs a firm, solid seedbed. The ground should 
not be loose. Many failures in growing it on cultivated land 
have been due to a loose, mellow seedbed. 

If it is to be used for hay it should be cut when 18 or 20 inches 
high and before it blossoms. 

Don't plow or sow deep. Don't cut low in mowing; cut at 
least six inches above the ground. Don't have the sub-soil 
loose. Don't be afraid to sow sweet clover. Don't plant the 
yellow annual sweet clover. The white is better. 

The best results are obtained by sowing in early spring as 
soon as the ground is dry and warm enough to put in condition 
for a good shallow seedbed. 



THE GUIDING HAND OF WOMAN 

NINETY per cent of American food passes through the hands 
of women. In no other field do small things, when multi- 
plied by 100,000,000 people, count for so much. The 
guiding hand of woman in the home can alone control this matter. 
A single pound of bread saved weekly for each person will 
increase our export surplus of wheat 100,000,000 bushels, and an 
average saving of 2 cents on each meal every day for each 
person will save to the nation for war purposes $2,000,000,000 
per annum. 

Food conservation is not alone a war question. The high 
prices, which are bearing ao hardly on the poor and the more 
moderate wage earners in our country, are partially due to the 
shortage of supplies in the world's market and the saving which 
can be made will lessen the prices to those of our own people who 
must be our first solicitude. — Extracts from Hoover Bulletin. 

23 



BANKERS SHOULD PROMOTE RAISING 
OF LIVE STOCK 

AN educational extension department should be a portion of 
the activities of every banking institution. Especially is 
this true of the small town bank. This should be in charge 
of a trained and experienced agriculturist, who should act as a 
farm adviser. 

He should keep in close touch with the farmers, and in every 
way encourage the growing of live stock. He should point out 
the increased profits that come from marketing grain and forage 
crops in the form of beef, pork, mutton or dairy products, and 
the importance of maintaining soil fertility. He should assist in 

organizing stock im- 
provement associa- 
tions in the commu- 
nity ; help the farmers 
in marketing their 
stock in carload lots; 
take a leading part in 
the organization of 
agricultural fairs and 
exhibits, live stock 
shows and Chautau- 
quas; be mstrumental 
in forming calf, pig, 
and poultry clubs and 
in interesting the boys 
and girls in raising live 
stock. And finally he 
could prove of assist- 
ance in the procuring 
of farm loans for 
financing those who 
desire to follow agri- 
cultural pursuits. 

Owes His Start to a Bank — Member of a Bank Calf _ ^ i • , • 

Club Is Proud of His Heifer. Not OUly lU timCS 

of war, but in times of 
peace as well, a maximum production of food is a world-wide 
demand and this can be accomplished only by maintaining the 
fertihty of the soil. 




24 



Live Stock Means Prosperity 



The millions of acres of worn-out land are testimony to the 
need of conserving soil fertility through diversified farming, the 
growing of legume crops, the raising of live stock and the placing 
of the manure back on the land. 

Live stock utilizes cheap roughage, such as corn stover, 
fodder and straw, which usually go to waste. Feeding the crops 
to live stock and returning the manure to the land maintains the 
supply of nitrogen and other plant-food elements. 

This not only means more prosperity for the farmers and the 
community but it means more food. 

In the United States there are over 30,000 banks. What a 
tremendous educational influence these financial institutions 
would be if each bank was an educational center for the com- 
munity! Bankers are usually community leaders. The oppor- 
tunities are great for every banker to make himself a teacher, and 
a missionary for the physical, financial, social well-being of the 
people of his community. 



A GARDEN FOR EVERY HOME 

Every hon;ie should have a garden. Have fruit trees and 
berry bushes around the sides and ends of the garden. Have 
the garden long so that you can cultivate it with a horse or mule. 
Don't just have a little square patch that you will neglect to 
care for. Cultivate the garden the same as the good farmer 
cultivates his crops. It will pay you a mighty sight better for 
the work done in it. The same amount of hoeing necessary to 
keep the other crops clean will keep the garden clean. 

Select early and late cabbage, carrots, turnips, sweet corn, 
etc. Radishes, lettuce and some of the short-lived vegetables 
can be planted at different seasons, so that there will be a con- 
tinuous supply. When these vegetables mature, can the sur- 
plus for future use. A good garden means one-third of the 
living. 

If you do not know the best varieties to plant, write the 
professor of horticulture at your Agricultural College. He 
doubtless will furnish you a list well adapted to your locality. 

25 



INCREASE THE YIELD OF GRAIN 

IF the food demands of the United States, our Allies, and of the 
neutral nations are to be met, it will be necessary, according to 
the estimate of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, to plant 
in this country for 1918 about 67,700,000 acres of wheat, 5,600,000 
acres of rye, 7,900,000 acres of barley, 45,200,000 acres of oats, 
and 111,500,000 acres of corn. This is an increase of nearly 
5 per cent over the immense acreage of these cereals in 1917 and 
22 per cent over the average annual acreage during the past 10 
years. 




If We Cannot Serve Our Country on the Battle Field, We Can Serve It 
in the Harvest Field. 



This demand for increased acreage deserves the serious 
thought and patriotic action of every farmer in the United States. 

The extraordinarily high prices for all kinds of cereals should 
be a sufficient incentive. 

The question of who wins this war is the question of who can 
endure the longer. It is largely a question of food. The farmer 
who works overtime and the consumer who economizes in con- 
sumption are using a positive and sure weapon to decide the 
conflict. 

Wheat is a very important crop. American grown rye plays 
a minor part in bread making since our export possibihties are 
only 20,000,000. In making bread the other cereals are used in 
Europe at present only for mixing with wheat, and a certain 
amount of wheat is needed. 



26 



f^ 



Let no Acre be Idle 



Normally we can spare Europe from 40,000,000 to 70,000,000 
bushels of wheat and about 200,000,000 bushels of other grains, 
but that part of Europe which looks to us for foods is short 
500,000,000 bushels of wheat. We must at least spare her 200,000,- 
000 bushels and 500,000,000 bushels of other grains. 

With the government guarantee of $2 for wheat at the 
terminal markets we should not hesitate to increase our acreage. 
If we grew a billion bushel crop there would be great need of 
every pound of it. 

If peace would come the $2 guarantee would still be good 
even though there would be no foreign market for at least 400,000,- 
000 bushels of this wheat. 

We should not hesitate to plant every spare acre to grain 
this year. To do so will be both patriotic and profitable. 




Increase Yields by Canserving Humus. Corn Stalks Produce Humus, 
But Not If They Are Burned 

27 



KITCHEN BACKBONE OF FARM 




A FARM, like an army, breaks down when its commissary or 
sanitary department breaks down. The slender link of a 
woman's endurance limits the strength of the chain of farm 
living. And this link has not been strengthened in the whole 
march of our boasted civilization. The eyes of the nation are 
fixed on our farmers just as they were on our fighting men at 
the time of the Spanish war. The brass bands did not march at 
the head of the sanitary and commissary departments, and the 
result is history. It is the same with our farm living today. The 

sanitary and commis- 
sary departments have 
made no advance since 
the day of our great 
grandfathers. The 
substitution of the 
stove for the open fire- 
place is the last, in 
fact, the only, real 
inprovement in the 
equipment of the farm 
home which has been 
generally adopted. 

Courtesy Farm & Firesidfi. ComparC this TCC- 

Kitchen in Model Farm Home— The Farmer ShouM Ord with that of CCJuip- 
See That His Wife Has Conveniences Equal • p .1 , 

to Those He Demands for Himself. mcnt lOr tnC maU S 

work on the farm. 
Reapers and mowers, riding plows and cultivators, planters and 
seeders, hay rakes and loaders, feed grinders and wood saws, hay 
forks and corn elevators, corn binders, manure spreaders, litter 
carriers, ensilage and fodder cutters, threshing machines, hay 
balers and corn shellers, milking machines, windmills and pumps, 
stationary and portable engines and tractors, and literally hun- 
dreds of other machines for special crops and conditions. 

Nor is this all. National and state governments, colleges, 
universities, and experiment stations have employed an enormous 
corps of trained experts and scientists to study soils, seeds, insects, 
fungi, birds and beasts; to scour the face of the earth for new 
grains and grasses, plants and animals; to study feeds and feeding, 
breeds and breeding; to design barns, dairies, granaries, corn 
cribs and silos. All this is good, but only half effective, because 



Lengthen Life by Saving Labor 



the farm house has not been brought up to the same advanced 
Hne. A city man Hving close to a restaurant and a laundry may 
class his wife as a luxury. A farmer cannot. When his kitchen 
breaks down his farm breaks down. The kitchen organization 
must come first in time and importance. 

The work of the farmer's wife is not only hard and exhaustmg 
it is continuous and practically unvarying. The seasonal changes 
which relieve the monotony of the outdoor work on the farm do 
not penetrate to the kitchen. There is the same lugging of water 
and slops, the washing and ironing, the sweeping and scrubbing, 
the filling of lamps and making of beds, the sewing and mending, 
the care of the children, and the everlasting three meals a day. 
No other class has derived so little from modern progress and 
invention, in comfort and luxury, in relief from grinding toil, 
as the farmer's wife. This is a neglect for which the whole nation 
is paying an awful price in the high cost of living. — X. Caverno. 

Wife Saver and Life Saver 

The engine in the farm home makes possible the combination 
of a number of labor-saving facilities. 

Some of these may be classed as luxuries, but most of them 
are conveniences which the modern farmer can well aff"ord, and 
they will greatly relieve the burden of household work for the 
farm wife. 

By having a power house for the engine, a line shaft can 
be put in connecting all the machinery with pulleys, and run all 
at the same time with the one engine, or run each one separately. 

The engine is becoming practically a jack-of-all-trades. It 
will do away with the weekly turmoil of the wash tub, saving 
the wife much work and many backaches. It will do the churn- 
ing, separate the cream, pump the water, grind the feed, saw the 
wood, and run the vacuum cleaner. It will also furnish power 
to operate a home lighting plant. It does all these things quickly, 
easily, and with but little expense. The new types of engines 
suitable for use in the home are made to burn either gasoline or 
kerosene. The dealer can help by introducing these labor-saving 
machines in every home. 



29 



THE COUNTY AGENT OR FARM ADVISOR 

THE County Agent is the most direct medium of communi- 
cation between the educational forces of the country and 
the crop producer. 
The opportunities of the County Agent to perform a great 
service for his nation are many, and he will accompUsh much if 
he has mitiative, patience and diplomacy. 

Many of the County Agents have already made agricultural 
surveys of their counties. They know the possibilities of the 
soil and the crops which can be most profitably and most abund- 




A County Agent Showing Nodules on an Alfalfa Koot. 

antly produced. With the nation exerting every effort to increase 
its food supply, the importance of having a government repre- 
sentative in close touch with agricultural conditions in every 
county must be evident to all. 

County Agent Can Do Much 

The County Agent can organize community team work in 
order that all the resources of town and country may be utilized. 
He can enlist the services of local merchants and business organ- 
izations in supplying labor for the farms. He can co-operate with 

30 



■^5^ Leadership Is Need of Hour 



N> 



bankers and commercial clubs to promote better farming methods. 
He can keep in touch with all the farmers of his county and with 
many in adjoining counties. To him all farms should, in a way, 
be experimental stations for demonstrating the variety of crops 
or the methods of farming best adapted to his locality. What he 
learns in this way he should communicate to all the farmers, so 
that they may profit by the experience of others. 

The success of the County Agent will be measured by his 
ability in organization — his ability to enlist others in the work of 
advancing community and agricultural interests. If he attempts, 
without the help of others, to do all the things that should be done, 
he will fail. Teachers, merchants, school children, editors, 
ministers must help. 

Needs Help of Leaders 

The County Agent should know who of the people in his 
county are leaders — who are the men and women who do things 
or who want to do things. Some will be community builders, 
others will be lecturers, others will be writers of force and con- 
viction. All of these he should rally to his support. 

For each person there can be found the place in which he 
will best fit into the general plan of community development. 
The County Agent who can marshal the greatest force behind 
him and use each of them to the greatest possible public advan- 
tage, will achieve the largest degree of success. 

Boys' and girls' pig clubs, calf clubs, corn clubs, and poultry 
clubs should be organized. Business men and farmers should be 
frequently brought together for a free discussion of agricultural 
and commercial ideas. Home and vacant lot gardens for the 
towns and larger gardens for the farms should be encouraged, 
and canning and drying clubs should be organized that none of 
the food grown shall go to waste. 

Lectures should be held in school houses and churches, and 
charts and slides used to emphasize the facts presented. 

Community team work in the production and conservation of 
food is a greater necessity today than it ever has been before, 
and there are thousands of communities in which the people are 
anxious to work together for the good of the nation. What the 
people want is a leader. That leader should be the County 
Agent. 

31 



WHAT A FARMER'S CLUB DID 

IN THE development of the natural resources of every state 
nothing plays a more important part than Community Clubs. 
Better homes, better schools, better churches,and betterpeople 
are possible only through unselfish service and earnest co-operation. 
This service and co-operation are developed by active and 
efficient Community Clubs. 

The life of a community organization will depend upon the 
members having something worth while to do, something to 
accomplish that demands co-operative effort. Every com- 




■^ ^j^o-zLsA-- ■v 



I arm.rH- Clul. lloMiiiK an Alfalfa Meeting 



munity should do something to improve farming conditions, to 
improve the schools, to build good roads, to improve sanitary 
conditions, to make better homes. This is a truth which we 
should understand and appreciate. 

It is the doing of common things and doing them well that 
has the most lasting and beneficial results. This fact has been 
repeatedly demonstrated in many communities in all parts of the 
country, and among the most recent is the unique and important 
work accomplished by the Fair view Social Club of Black Earth. 
Wisconsin. 

A Live Wire Club 

This club is only two years old, having been organized in 
May, 1916, for the purpose of promoting social activities and 
the discussion of farm problems. It has 43 active and 16 

32 



1^^^ Efficiency Follows Organized Effort 



honorary members, and so great is the co-operative spirit among 
them that a large majority attend every meeting. 

Not only has the club held many social gatherings, but it 
has conducted a number of projects of much benefit to the farmers 
and the community. One of these was a crow and hawk hunt, 
another a June bug hunt. 

As the result of the former, the community was practically 
freed of crows and great damage to the corn crop prevented. 

The hunt for June bugs lasted a month. Two teams, each 
under the command of a captain, were organized. Each captain 
kept a record of the number of bugs caught by the members of 
his team, and at the conclusion of the contest the team which 
had the less number to its credit furnished supper to the other 
team. 

The hours during which the largest number of bugs were 
captured was between 10 p. m, and midnight, as by that time the 
bugs had alighted upon trees to feed, and it was easy to shake 
them out onto canvas stretched beneath the branches. Walnut, 
butternut, and hickorynut trees seemed to be their favorite 
feeding places. 

A total of 62,346 bugs were caught. If allowed to hve, these 
bugs would have produced 4,987,680 grubs, which would have 
done enormous damage to growing crops. 



THE HOME 

The home — that institution for which 
and by which all other institutions in the 
world exist. 

Put the same intelligence and training 
into the making of the home that is given 
to great business enterprises. 

The home is producing the future men 
and women — the greatest crop of all. 



33 



BOYS CAN HELP WIN THE WAR 



THE shortage of farm labor is the greatest we ever have 
known, and it will likely increase as the war progresses. 
But in spite of the labor problem, farm acreage under 
cultivation must not be decreased; food production must be kept 
up to the maximum. 

We must win this war, and we cannot win it unless we produce 
every possible pound of foodstuffs. Every acre of land that is 
busy is working for us; every idle acre strikes a blow at Liberty. 

But farmers cannot cultivate all their land unless they have 
sufficient labor. Farm machines will make up for some of the 
shortage, but not all. Human labor must be recruited from some 



source. 



Uncle Sam Appeals to Boys 



In this great emergency, the government is appealing to the 
schoolboys of America — to the great army of strong, alert, active, 
energetic youngsters between the ages of 16 and 21 to enHst in 
the U. S. Boys' Working Beserve. 

These young men are filled with the patriotic spirit of the 
nation. They are under the legal age for conscription in the 
army, but they want to do all they can to help their older brothers 
win the war. They cannot fight, but they can help produce food 
to feed the - , fighters. 



In order to 
these boys to 
this summer 
up the shortage 
S. Boys' Work- 




encourage 
work on farms 
and help make 
of labor, the U. 
ing Reserve has 



Young Men Are Filled With Patriotic Spirit — They Can Help Produce 
Food for the Fighters. 

34 



p 



Boy Power Is Needed 



been organized under the direction of the Department of Labor. 

By applying to his federal state director, whose name will be 
furnished by the State Council of Defense, any boy between 16 
and 21 can enlist in the Reserve, in the agricultural, industrial or 
vocational units. Boys are particularly urged to join the agri- 
cultural unit that they may be detailed to help out the farmers. 

Every Boy's Opportunity 

Members of the Reserve are given federal recognition but 
are not liable to military duty. 

This is every boy's opportunity to have an important part 
in making history. Their services will be as important as though 
they were in the army or navy. The work will be hard but 
healthy and in after years, when liberty has been forever estab- 
lished throughout the world, they will be proud to show their 
badges of honor given them by the United States as evidence of 
their faithful and loyal service in the great struggle. 

Every boy should join the Reserve and give his best to his 
country in this great hour of need. Every farmer should be kind 
and patient with the boy who is doing his best to help him. Be 
careful not to work him too long hours. Look carefully after his 
physical and moral welfare and his health. 



The Meaning of Success 

To be successful is not merely to be rich in money. 
There are many men who have not much of this world's 
goods and yet are more successful than some others who 
ha\e only hoarded their gold without contributing to the 
welfare of the community in which they live. 



35 



MEETING THE COUNTRY'S CALL 

THE Farmers Dispatch, published at St. Paul, Minn., recently 
conducted what it appropriately termed "My Utmost" 
contest, offering numerous prizes for the best examples of 
what had been done by farmers and their wives to increase pro- 
duction and conservation of food. Intense interest in the contest 
was manifested, more than 800 articles having been submitted. 

With the consent of Mr. S. E. Elliott, editor of the Farmers 
Dispatch, we are enabled to reproduce two of the prize-winning 
articles as examples of what any farmer and farmer's wife can do 
to assist in meeting the food requirements of the nation. 

The fu-st prize was awarded to Mr. John L. Kubik, of 
Medford, Wis., who gave a splendid demonstration of how, on 
even a small farm and under adverse circumstances, one little bit 
of extra production made possible another little bit of extra 
production and all resulted in greater conservation and production, 
which is the general plan of farming so greatly needed in the 
United States during the present war crisis, and which can be 
duplicated by any farmer. 

The third prize was awarded to Mrs. Marie O'Brien, of 
Malta, Mont., who gives us an example, not only of increasing 
production by carefully guarding those things which make con- 
tinuous production possible, but of intelligent and patriotic food 
conservation as well. The two articles follow: 

What One Farmer Did to Help 

Here is the wonderful story of achievement written by John 
L. Kubik, Medford, Wis.: 

Our beloved country has undertaken a task of tremendous 
importance to all mankind — the crushing of kaiserism. To bring 
this issue to a successful conclusion, every one of the 100,000,000 
people living in this republic should help in the way of food pro- 
duction and saving, for food and money, we all realize, will win 
the war. 

In order that I could do my utmost in this respect, I first 
increased the acreage I use for planting crops. This was not an 
easy problem, because I had only 25 acres of land available for 
cultivation, while the rest of my 80 is cut-over land with stumps 
and brush on it. 

In spite of this difficulty, I went to work early last springs 
clearing and plowing one acre for pasture. On this one acre I 
seeded oats which, thanks to favorable weather, brought an 

36 



p 



Service Begins at Home 



excellent crop. The oats thus obtained and my barley crop 
enabled me to increase my flock of chickens two-fold; I also was 
able to raise an additional hog. 

The stumps split by discharging dynamite, furnished an 
excellent fuel for my heating stoves, besides making it possible for 
me to sell six cords of hard wood, the proceeds of which almost 
paid for the dynamite. 

That I could have grain to meet my needs for bread, I seeded 
rye. The rye I harvested was ground into flour, and the middlings 
that I obtained as by-product replaced some of the grain feed I 
am buying every year for my cows. The rye straw, being used 
for bedding, increases the output of barnyaid manure. 

Anticipating the shortage of sugar, I planted sugar beets, 
from which, in the fall, I made eight gallons of syrup. Some of 
this syrup I used in 50 jars of fruit preserves. However, a large 
amount is being used in my kitchen, especially in preparing a 
meal I call carrot stew. 

The crops of potatoes, peas, carrots, cabbage, beans and 
cucumbers have been doubled. 

I have tested each of the cows in my herd and found that 
two proved a losing proposition. I immediately sold them and 
bought another two that bring profit. 

I had a great crop of hay, it being made possible through 
liberal applipation of manure. By making two tons of marsh 
hay, all of which I cut by hand along the track of a railroad and 
stored in my beun, the day after threshing, all of my oat and 
barley straw, which I am now feeding to cattle, I have been able 
to add to my stock one cow and two steers. 

I have hai' vested about 15 tons of beets. This provides 
succulent feed for my cows during the winter months, thereby 
increasing the production of butterfat. I think beets are an 
excellent substitute for silage. 

I also have gathered about two bushels of nuts, which are 
now served at meals as dessert. 

After my farm work was done I stored all my machinery in a 
shed in order to save it from rust. 

Strict economy is being pursued in the farm and household 
management. Wheat bread is found on my table only on iioli- 
days ; meat three times a week. 

In addition, I must say that I have bought government 
bonds, and have joined the Red Cross and a patriotic society. 

37 



Each Can Do His Part 



A Commendable Example of Thrift 



fc 



Mrs. Marie O'Brien, Malta, Mont., gave another fine example 
of what can be done by anyone to help win the war. She wrote: 

In order to help our government win the war we are keeping 
our female stock whenever it is possible. Moreover, we see that 
there is an increase each year. We try to raise enough feed for 
all stock. 

Instead of feeding wheat, as many do, we sell all except the 
best grade, which is kept for seed, and the feed wheat is fed to 
poultry. 




Every Family Should Have a Vegetable Gardea. 

We grow sugar cane, Kafir corn, feterita, alfalfa, sunflowers 
and root crops to feed the pigs, calves and poultry. 

We have a flock of 40 Buff Wyandottes and expect to keep 
100 next year, as we will have larger quarters. We raised a nice 
bunch of turkeys last year and kept all the hens for egg production 
this spring. Next year I intend to add geese and let the boys 
try their hand at raising Belgian hares. 

As soon as we can arrange for it we will keep a few sheep, as 
their products are needed so much. We take good care of all our 
possessions, believing an ounce of prevention is worth a pound 
of cure. 

38 



Only by Thrift We Prosper ^^ 



We raise all the meat used on the table and sell the surplus. 
We never slaughter anything until it has reached maturity. 

It wasn't hard for me to "Hooverize" in the kitchen, as I 
have always practiced the strictest economy, but I adopted 
Hoover's program as soon as I read about it. For breakfast we 
use rolled oats or barley or raised pancakes of buckwheat or corn- 
meal. We make corn bread often and I haven't made a pie or 
iced a cake since last summer. We serve fruit as sauce, sweetened 
with syrup and spices. We use syrup in cookies or cake also. 
And we have puddings, such as corn starch, tapioca or "hasty" 
pudding. We save the four staples — wheat, meat, sugar and 
fats — as much as possible. 

We raise a big garden each year and can everything perish- 
able, even greens and carrots. 



THRIFT— THE PERFECT POSSESSION 

By Edgar W. Cooley 

THERE is but one Perfect Possession. 
Some of us have Wealth; others possess Genius, or 
Knowledge, or AccompUshment. Many of us enjoy Health 
and Love. 

But the one Perfect Possession is greater than any of these. 
It is the power behind AccompUshment, the foundation of Wealth, 
the preserver of Love. It surrounds Genius with opportunity, 
sets Knowledge to work, and creates Health through right 
living. 

It is within the reach of all ; is imperishable and unchanging. 

It is the corner stone of Character, the first letter in the 
alphabet of Virtue. It is the science of turning waste into profit; 
the art of making a living. It is the creator of Efficiency; the 
talent of applying good management to little things ; the mint in 
which energy is coined into progress. 

It is the gateway to success; the credentials of good citizen- 
ship; the passport to prosperity. It plants a smile on the face of 
Childhood, a song in the heart of Youth, and glory in the silvery 
hair of Age. It tempers thought with tenderness, clothes action 
in good will, crowns labor with love, and broadens endeavor into 
helpful service. 

It is Thrift. 

39 



N 



LET BOYS AND GIRLS HELP PLAN 
FARM WORK 

OT long ago an Iowa farmer was heard to say : "In planning 
my farm work for next year I am going to consult my wife 
and the children." 

This ultimately proved to be the greatest idea this farmer 
ever had. 

If every farmer 
will take the family 
into his confidence he 
will solve many per- 
plexing problems. 
Often the boys can 
give their fathers help- 
ful ideas. You will be 
surprised at the way 
Mother and the girls 
can help plan the work 





of the farm and the house- 
hold so that there will be 
full co-operation among all 
members of the family. 

Let the boys and girls 
feel that they have an m- 
terest in the farm — that 
they are not working simply 
for their "keep." When 
they feel that they have 
responsibility, that the suc- 
cess of the farm depends on them as well as upon "Pa" and 
"Ma," they will put forth their best efforts. 

Co-partnership in the management and operation of the farm 
will instill within them the pride of ownership; will teach them to 
think in terms of action and results ; in terms of accomplishment. 

40 



Ownership Begets Industry 



See that your children own something — a calf, a pig, or a 
lamb. Let the ownership be permanent, not temporary; real, 
not imaginary. Don't let it be Willie's pig and Pa's hog. Let it 
be Willie's hog and give him the price of the hog when it is sold. 
This will give motive to his work, stimulate interest, develop 
initiative, train him in terms of business. 

Co-partnership in field and home management, responsibility, 
ownership — these will keep the boys and girls on the farm, make 
them successful men and women, quick to grasp opportunity, 
able to compete with the world's workers in the accomplishment 
of the world's greatest work, that of agriculture. 



CORN AND ALFALFA BASIS OF LIVE STOCK 

GROWING 

CORN and alfalfa form the basis of successful live stock 
growing. No other combination of feeds is so economical 
in the production of beef, pork, dairy and poultry products. 

Alone, neither will give the best results ; together, they form 
the best of balanced rations for growing animals and fowls. 

Corn, oats, rye, etc., furnish carbohydrates, but animals need 
protein also. Corn is rich in starch and sugar — fat producing 
substances. But it is especially deficient in protein, which makes 
bone, muscle and frame work for the growing body. 

Alfalfa saves the large waste of starch which always results 
when corn is fed alone. Its feed value per acre is double that of 
clover or any other forage crop. When we grow alfalfa, we grow 
protein on our own farms more economically than we can buy 
it in feed stuffs. Alfalfa feeds the soil and enables us to grow 
larger crops of corn, oats or other grains. 

An acre of alfalfa is worth more on the market than an acre 
of any other crop. It is worth still more when fed to live stock. 

Alfalfa is a sure crop because it is not dependent on the rain. 
It is a subsoiler ; its long roots draw moisture and sustenance from 
soil much deeper than that which we generally farm. It gives 
humus to the soil — builds up soil fertility. Corn and alfalfa, 
foundation of American agriculture, king and queen of all the 
crops — hope of the world. 

41 



THE HOG'S PART IN THE WAR 

IN THIS emergency we should not underestimate the impor- 
ance of the hog. On 2,000,000 farms there are no hogs. On 
any farm where there are no hogs the farmer should buy a brood 
sow immediately. He should feed the male pigs when he gets 
them, and grow the females to be bred. He does not have to 
buy many sows to start hog raising. 

We do not speak in favor of the hog to the exclusion of other 
classes of stock; but the hog is in first position, and cannot be 
replaced. In the grains wheat and corn will win the war ; in meat 
animals, the conqueror is the hog. 




Photo courtesy Breeders' (Jazette. 

Doing His Share to Feed the Fighters. 

We have just had a great hve stock show at Chicago, and 
the champion steer weighed 1,610 pounds at 29 months, 
or 870 days, old. The cow that had the champion steer for a 
calf could have had another calf and be coming on with another 
since the champion calf was dropped. One steer weighing 1,600 
pounds and another weighing 1,000 pounds would represent about 
all the meat the cow could show in market in two clear years and 
five months. But a sow that gave a litter of pigs when that 
champion steer was dropped could have given another litter that 
year and two more the following year. The four litters of pigs, 

42 



The Hog, King of Meat Animals 



say eight to a litter, could all have grown and at 10 month sold 
each weigh 300 pounds. It would be no trick at all for one sow 
to market 9,000 pounds of meat on the hoof in 29 months, 
as against 2,600 pounds produced by the best cow in the world. 

The hog is the most important animal in the present emer- 
gency. All the domestic animals are important, but at this time 
the hog speaks for himself and speaks loud. The cow generally 
gives us one calf; the sheep generally gives us one ewe; but tho 
sow gives us a Htter. 

For the transportation of fresh meats, special cars are neces- 
sary. For the transportation of hams and bacon and lard, ordi- 
nary cars and ships are satisfactory. Hog meat can be shipped 
economically to the uttermost ends of the world. You do not 
have to can bacon and hams to get them to the soldiers in the 
trenches. 

Right now is the emergency. We have to do what we can 
the quickest and the best way. It is not a question of profit; 
there is profit in all food and feedstuff. A farmer can raise 
1,000 pounds of pork while he is raising 400 pounds of beef or 
mutton. 

The hog is raised universally, and the number of hogs we can 
raise and fatten depends entirely upon the amount of feed we can 
produce. Farmers have taken a contract to produce the largest 
amount of meat in the shortest possible time, and that points 
directly to the hog. If you raise more pork than you ever did 
before, you are performing a great service to the country, even 
if you cure it and eat it on your own farm. 

(By Philip H. Hale, Editor of the National Farmer and Stock Grower, St. Louis, Mo., for 
Extensioa DeparLineut International Harvester Company.) 



PIG SKINS AND STEER HIDES BEST GRAIN 
SACKS ON THE FARM 

Pig skins and steer hides are the best grain sacks a man can 
have on the farm. War does not keep a pig from making a hog 
of himself. War does not keep a cow from giving milk nor a hen 
from laying eggs. 

The only safe way to continued success is to have something 
to sell every week in the year. It is the business of the farmer 
to see to it that his hving is secured; that he does not depend 
directly upon one crop. 

43 



YOU DON'T NEED TO LOSE YOUR HOGS 
FROM CHOLERA 

You can do two things to prevent losing your hogs from 
cholera: 

1. Keep the hog cholera germs away from your hogs. 

2. If cholera gets into your herd, vaccmate at once, and 
you can save practically all your hogs. Act immedi- 
ately. Do not delay, but get busy. 

How Cholera Germs Are Carried — Cholera germs are 
carried just the same as smallpox, measles, diphtheria, scarlet 
fever, or any other contagious disease germs. People, animals 
and birds, anything that walks on the ground and comes from 
a farm where the hogs have cholera, may bring cholera to your 
herd. Germs are carried: 

1. By owners of diseased hogs visiting well herds. 

2. By owners of well herds visiting diseased herds. 

3. By hog buyers, visitors and careless veterinarians. 

4. By dogs, cats and other animals, that go from one farm 

to another. 

5. By pigeons, crows, buzzards and other birds. 

6. By pasturing well hogs with sick ones, 

7. By purchasing new stock which has the disease, or 

carry the disease germs on their feet. 

8. By streamsor ditches running through infected premises. 

9. By exchanging work and by threshers. 

10. By the wheels of automobiles, wagons, buggies and 
farm tools. 

Precautions — If cholera is in your neighborhood, use the 
same precautions to keep from getting it on your farm as you 
would use if there were an epidemic of smallpox or scarlet fever. 

If your neighbor's hogs have cholera, don't go to look at 
them. Don't let your neighbor come on your place. He may 
carry cholera germs on his shoes. Keep the hog buyer and 
all visitors away from the hog lot. Keep kerosene, crude oil 
or hog dip in the filthy hog wallow. 

44 



Cultivate Common Sense 



Use the same common sense preventive measures you would 
use to keep smallpox away from your family. 

If Cholera Gets into Your Herd, Vaccinate at Once 

If some of your hogs are sick, and you suspect that they 
have cholera, get busy. Determine absolutely, whether or not, 
they have cholera. If they have, vaccinate at once, and you 
can save practically all your herd. 

Cholera Symptoms — Cholera causes fever, generally 
accompanied either by constipation of the bowels or by diarrhea. 
The hogs are "off feed," the odor of the urine is offensive, there 
is generally a discharge from the eyes, and, when they stand, 
there is a disposition to get their feet together, thus humping 
the back. 

But a hog may have cholera several days before any of 
these symptoms are pronounced; then, too, these symptoms, or 
most of them, may accompany a bad case of worms, or inflam- 
mation of the lungs, or some other disease. 

Kill the First Sick Hog — Determine at once whether or 
not a sick hog has the cholera. When it acts "dumpy," and 
refuses to eat, get a good veterinarian, kill the hog, and examine 




Vaccinating in the flank. The hind leg is drawn back and the needle inserted 

so that the vaccine is deposited in the part of the flank that is 

loose when not stretched 

45 



l)t'la\s Vro nani;i'ri>iis 



t\w iulostiuos. kidiiONs, iilaiuls. ami olhcv origans. A votovinariaii 
lan dtMoniiiiu^ absolut«M> \\hotluM- or not it is oliolora. 

Alt (Juitlvl^ Sa\o Y*>ur lloi;s l»y > aotiualion — If it is 
ohoitMa. ai't quickly. StMul at imuv \'ov tho vaoiiuo. Do not 
tako timo to writo for it. Ilavo Nour vtMorinarian or your banker 
>viio to your Slatt^ Aiiriiullural r.olK\i:c or to any tirni luuulling 
cholora scrum. 

State tlie nuuiber o( ho^'s you >\ish to vaccinate, anil their 
averaj^o >veii;lit. This is utHcssary. in order that the collcije, 
in- laboratory manajrenient. nuiy know just how much vaccine to 
send you. 

l\iupU»y > elorinarian to \ aeeinalo llojis — Donot attempt 
to vaccinate the lu>i:s vourst^lt". \ou would not think of vac- 
cinaliui: a person for smallpox or iriviui: toxin for diphtheria. 
Vaecinatini: for hoj: cholera is exactly the same kind of a propo- 
sition. Don't try to do it yoin-self. Get a veterinarian who 
underslatuls the business. 

Keep the vaccine lool. and use it just as soon as possible 
after it comes. 

lose no time. The vaccine loses its etVectiveness rapidly if 
alUnxcd to stand where it is warm. Tiic longer you wait, the 
sicker vour hop^ are i:ettinc. and the less chance you have of 
sa\ iui: them. 

\N lien ti> > aeeinale Pv^ not vaccinate until your lii-^t hog 
is taken with cholera, or until cholera is so close to you that you 
are ivrtain your hoi:^ will ^^t it. 

In regions where ho^:^ nm tvwther on ranee pasture, vac- 
cinate as seen as chclera appears. 

>aeeiualo >»ilh Seriiiu Duly — Ordinarily, you should vac- 
cinate with serum only. 

Serum is taken from the blood of a hi,^ that has Kvn expostxi 
to chclera. has had tb.e disease just as seveivly as lie can bt? 
made to ha^e it, and has iivovenni from it. 

Serum contains no live cholera giMins. but has in it certain 
elements that ccmbat chclera i^M-ms. and if iiiven Ix^foi-e the hogs 
get sick very fov of them die. 

If your hoes aiv ahvady sick w ith cholera. cIn e them a double 
dcse of serum. This will save about half of them. 

The serum tivatnuMit is etVtvtive only from four to six wet^ks. 
At the end of this time your hi^irs must I>t^ vaccinatiHi airain. if 
there is still dauiror of their Ixniiii oxvx^sed to cholera. 

46 



Leave JNolhing lo Chance 



Vaccinalirif^ with srnirn only is fiilh-d \.\u'. "Scrum Trc.il- 
mnnt" or "Siri;.',K! 'rt(';ilrricnl,." In praclicJilly all (;;is<;s, Uiis is 
the only m(;lho(l lliat should Ix; used. 

SimuIlaneoiiH or Doiihle 'rrealin<;nl- In ran; (;as<'H it may 
seem advisable to vaccinate witli virus at tlu; same time you 
vaccinate wilh s<'rum. T\\<) vims is injccU^d. in oru; flank, and 
the scrum inj<((cd in IIk; n»( k or olhcr Hank. This is called the 
"Simultan(!ous or J)oul)l<; 'J'niatmcnt." 

Viiiis is taken from llie Mood of a ho^' wliil<; Im; is si(;k wilh 
cholera; therefore it is full of. live chol<;ra g(;i-ms. 

Th(; object of usin*,' virus is to ^mv(! IIk; ho^s cholera. The 
serum giv«;n at Uw sam<! limc! fi^dils and cheeks l,h<; cholera K<'f'"s 
which the virus conlains. Very lew of the hoj^s di<;, arifl not 
many are real sick. 



ANY FARMER CAN IIAVK IM(;S AND 
POl I/IRY 



IT is very easy for a poor man to get into the hog 
or poultry business, for it requires little caj)ital. Jn 
Arkansas, Mississi[)pi or Tennessee a sow will raisf; 
two litters of pigs a year. Jn the (>orn licit from w hich 
the meats are shipped into the South the average s(jw 
raises but one litter a year. 

In the South the farmer can grow all his protein 
feeds — cow peas, soy beans, peanuts, lespedcza, Iju rr 
clover, crimson clover, and in most 7>laces some alfalfa. 
These are all good protein feeds for h«)gs. Farmers 
raising 50 hrjgs a year should have a fiv(!-acre pasture 
for them, and opening from it three or four small fields, 
into which he can turn the hogs. 



47 



THE SCRUB COW DOES NOT PAY FOR 
HER BOARD 

THE scrub cow, the "no-purpose" cow, is a tax on time and 
labor, a tax on the resources of the nation. There are mil- 
lions of such cows in America. Get rid of the scrub. The 
good dairy cow is a real producer. She produces human food with 
greater economy than any other class of live stock — hogs, sheep or 
poultry. » 

The cheapest and most efficient means of improvement must 
come through breeding, selection, feed and care. 

Many farmers feed the same amount of grain to each cow, 
regardless of her size and record of production. They should keep 
a daily record of the amount of milk given by each cow, have her 

milk tested from time to time, 
and then feed her a balanced 
ration to maintain the pro- 
duction, or to increase it, if 
possible. 

On the average farm we 
are very apt to find three 
classes of cows in the same 
herd. We find cows which 
use their feed for the produc- 
tion of milk; cows which use 
their feed for the production 

The Profit From This Scrub Cow Was oi becf, and COWS which prO- 

oniy $2.77 in One Year. ^^^^^ neither bccf nor milk at 

a profit. All unprofitable cows must be culled from the dairy 
herds if the dairy is to be a paying investment. 

Another mistake made by many farmers is lack of feed and 
care of the cow before freshening. A cow that is wintered poorly 
with nothing but roughage, will be thin in flesh in the spring. 
When turned out on spring pasture, she will first put on flesh, 
instead of increasing her flow of milk. That is only complying 
with nature's law. By the time the cow has built her body 
tissue, and is ready to give milk, it is fly season, and this is fol- 
lowed by a short fall feed, and the cow has been under a handicap 
the whole season. The cow that freshens in the fall has a great 
many advantages over the cow freshening in the spring, because 
she is in better condition. 

48 




T] 
; 



WE CAN IMPROVE OUR 

DAIRY BUSINESS 

HOW 

TAKE INTEREST IN THE WORK 

BEGIN WITH' WHAT WE HAVE 

PROPERLY FEED AND HOUSE 

WEIGH TEST CULL 

USE GOOD SIRES ONLY 

BE PROMPT REGULAR SANITARY 

THE COW 

MAKES RICH SOIL 

BUILDS GOOD HOMES 

MAKES PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES 




WE CAN IMPROVE OUR DAIRY BUSINESS 

^HE first and most important thing leading to success in the 
dairy business is that the farmer and all his help like the bus- 
iness — take 
an interest in the 
work. The cows 
must be control- 
led b y kindness 
and not by the 
ancient method 
of foot, club and 
milkstool. 

The next im- 
portant thing is 
the keeping of 
proper records, 
not only of the 
receipts and ex- 
penditures, but 
also the annual 
profit from each 
individual cow. 
This may be dune 
by weighing the milk, if not daily, at least once a week, and from 
these records the total for each week, month or year can easily 
be obtained. By testing the milk once a month you can easily 
get the value of the milk produced by each cow. 

Many farmers are keeping too many boarder cows and this 
does not pay. The first year we weighed the milk from our herd, 
we S3t the standard that every cow under favorable conditions 
and proper feed must produce 6,000 pounds during the year. 
Any cow not producing 6,000 pounds of milk was to be sold. 
At the close of the first year, out of 35 cows we found 13 boarders, 
and promptly sold them. At the close of the second year we did 
not have a single boarder, and the cows produced from 6,000 to 
12,000 pounds of milk each during the year. 

It pays to keep a pure-bred sire at the head of your herd. 
Raise the calves from your best cows. Do not starve these 
calves, but feed them so they will grow into good big heifers. 
Breed them so they will be at least 2}/2 y^ars old when fresh. By 
observing these conditions, you will be surprised at the increase 
of your milk or cream check. 

49 



Make "Speed Up" Your Slogan 

Grow all the alfalfa hay needed. Have a summer silo as 
well as one for winter use. Buy only the mill feeds rich in pro- 
tein, such as cotton seed meal and oil meal. Grow the carbo- 
hydrates in corn and barley. Weigh and test the milk from each 
'cow. Keep a record of feed. In short, know what each cow is 
doing. Grow your milch cows. Use the best bred bull you can 
possibly afford to buy. Take an active part in all local farmers' 
organizations.— Charles H. Benton, ^'alparaiso, Indiana. 



THE WORLD NEEDS MORE LIVESTOCK 

ESTIMATES pubUshed by the United States Food Adminis- 
tration show that there are 115,000,000 less meat animals 
in the world today than there were in the year preceding 
the beginning of the war. While the increase in cattle in the 
United States was 7,090,000, the total world decrease was 
28,080,000. Sheep decreased 3,000,000 in the United States and 
54,500,000 in the world. Hogs have increased 6,275,000 in the 
United States, but throughout the world their number has 
decreased 32,425,000. 

The close of the war will find Europe almost barren of meat 
and dairy animals, and with an annual production of meat and 
dairy products decreased to a startling extent. 

If we would profit by this opportunity, we must grasp the 
enormous world demand for meat, dairy and breeding animals 
and meat and dairy products which must continue for many 
years after peace is proclaimed. 

It will take several years to sufficiently increase the herds 
and flocks of America, and those of us who have the right vision 
will begin at once to bring about this increase. 

This opportunity is especially presented to the Southern 
states, where the cattle tick has prevented the successful raising 
of beef and dairy cattle. 

If every Cotton Belt state would compel the use of the dip- 
ping vat by law and get rid of the tick, the natural advantages 
in the way of climate and long growing season, pasture lands, and 
adaptability of the soil to many crops would make the South the 
greatest beef and dairy section of the world. 

50 



ONE AVERAGE COW EQUAL TO FORTY 
SCRUB COWS 

HERE is a striking example of the conditions which prevail 
on many farms in all sections of the country: 
One average cow gave an annual profit of about 
$31.25, while the profit from 40 poor cows, in one whole year, was 
only $31 — about the same as the profit received on the one cow. 
The one cow is the average of the 34 best of 554 cows in 36 Illinois 
dairy herds, while the 40 cows are the average of the 34 poorest 
of the same 554 cows in 36 Illinois dairy herds. The poor cows 
each gave a profit of 34 of ^ 
cent every four days, or about 
77 cents per cow profit for the 
whole year after deducting $30 
a year for feed. Each one of 
the poor cows required on an 
average just as much feed and 
care as the average good cow 
which gave the owner, after 
deducting $38 per year for 




feed, a net profit of $31 a year; Dutchess SkylarU Ormsby, the Minne- 

. 1 I 4 /t sota Experiment Station cow that pro- 

Or, m other words, the 40 poor duced 27,761 pounds of milk containing 

, ^ . , 1,205 pounds of butter fat, in one year. 

COWS took 40 times as much 

feed and care as the one average cow. These calculations allow 
the skim milk, calf, and manure to pay for the labor and interest 
on the investment. 

The lowest 139 cows (one-fourth of all) yielded an average 
of 1333^ pounds of butter fat during the year, and the highest 
139 cows produced an average of 301 pounds butter fat. 

139 Poor Cows Made $107; 139 Good Cows, $4,000 

The profit from the whole 139 poor cows was only $107, but 
the clear money from the best 139 cows amounted to more than 
$4,000. Herds of these two kinds would have to be kept in the 
following comparative numbers to produce exactly the same 
profit for the owner: 



Good Cows 

1 Cow equals 
15 Cows equal 
25 Cows equal 



Poor Cows 

41 Cows 

612 Cows 

1,021 Cows 



51 



Better Cows Pay Better 



Twenty-five cows of the better kind w ould return the dairy- 
man a clear profit of $783 per year. They could be kept on an 
80-acre farm; they would require a barn only 32x45 feet and 
a 100-ton silo, and the cows themselves at $70 per head would 
cost only $1,750. 

Cows difi'er widely in their productive ability, and the only 
accurate measure of a cow's production is obtained b\ weighing 
and testing her milk. The most practical method is found in 
the co-operative cow testing association, since it furnishes a cheap, 
accurate method of testing. 




Young Stock Will Have a Good Influence in Keeping the Boye on the Farm. 

52 



COW-TESTING ASSOCIATION WILL MAKE 
MONEY FOR YOU 

TWO thousand, nine hundred and fifty yearly records from 
177 different herds have been completed in the five cow- 
testing associations which have been organized in Iowa 
since 1909. 

The average cow in the cow-testing association produced 
217 pounds of butter fat per year at a net profit of $32.77, after 
paying for the feed at market prices less the cost of hauling. 

If the 1,500,000 milch cows of Iowa produced as much 
butter fat per year as the average cow in the cow-testing asso- 
ciations, it would mean an increased production for the state of 
115,500,000 pounds of butter fat per year, worth at 30 cents per 
pound, $34,650,000. 

The most profitable cow returned her owner a net profit 
of $125, while the poorest cow lacked $25.92 of paying for her 
feed. 

There were good cows and poor cows in every herd. The 
best cow from each herd returned an average of $55 net profit 
per year, while the poorest cow from each herd returned an 
average of but $15.12 net profit per year. 

The most profitable herd netted its owner $71.22 per cow in 
one year, while the poorest herd was kept at a loss of 63 cents per 
cow. 

Two hundred and fifteen, or 7 per cent, of the cows produced 




Every Herd Has Good. Cows dud Poor Cows. 

53 



Get Acquainted With Your Cows 



over 300 pounds of butter fat per year, while 321, or 11 per cent, 
were under 150 pounds. If all the yearly records had been as 
high as the 215 high ones, it would have meant an increased 
income of $91,470. 

The cows fed silage produced 27 pounds more butter fat and 
$2.36 more net profit per year than those not fed silage. 

The cows freshening in the fall produced 27 pounds more 
butter fat and returned $7 greater net profit per year than those 
freshening in the spring. 

The average net income from cows in the cow-testing associa- 
tions, from two to 10 years old, was $314.22, or nearly $35 per 
year. 

Any member of a cow-testing association can raise the pro- 
duction of his herd to a yearly average of 300 pounds of butter 
fat within six or seven years if he will eliminate the unprofitable 
cows, save heifers from high producers, use a pure-bred sire from 
high producing ancestors and give more thought and attention to 
the feeding and care of the animals. 

The cow-testing association is the most efficient and eco- 
nomical method of detecting the loafers in the herd. It puts 
dairying on a business basis, arouses the interest of the owner, 
his boys, and hired man in the cows, stirs up local pride by bring- 
ing the people of the community together to talk over their busi- 
ness, and helps to make farm work enjoyable and interesting. 



WE MUST FEED OURSELVES 

The World's Greatest Economic Problem 
Leads to the Farm 

No country can become richer than its 
lands. From the soil come our food and cloth- 
ing; all other human needs are subordinate to 
these. Food is the chief material concern of 
fife — its production the most important occupa- 
tion. In the hard school of experience we are 
slowly learning the lesson of real business econ- 
omy — the greatest lesson of all time — that of 
feeding ourselves. Let us learn that lesson well. 



54 




THE SEED TICK 
After hatching it swings from spears 
of grass, and attaches itself upon pass- 
ing cattle. If no cattle give it succor 
it will die of starvation in about four 
months in summer, but in w^inter it 
remains dormant. By taking advan- 
tage of this fact, it is possible to free a 
herd of the tick in a comparatively 
•hort time. 



TICK ERADICATION WILL AID WHOLE 
COUNTRY 

THE cattle tick has taken toll from the southern farmers for 
30 years. The tick is a great menace to the hve stock busi- 
ness in the Cotton Belt states. 
Nor is the damage to animal life done by this destructive 
blood sucking parasite confined to the South alone. Its injurious 
infiuence reaches into every northern state, and affects every 
breeder of live stock by preventing the shipment of pure-bred 

cattle from the North into tick- 
infested territory in the South. 
The tick has cost the South mil- 
hons of dollars. It has cost the 
North millions also. 

The tick kills our cattle; re- 
duces the price; prevents ship- 
ping to good markets; prevents 
bringing in breeding stock; kills 
the cattle business. We can't 
afford to feed the cattle tick. The 
South needs more and better cat- 
tle; more home-produced beef, pork, mutton; more pastures; 
more green cover-crops; more vetch, cowpeas, velvet beans, and 
alfalfa. These things mean better farms, larger yields. 

The quarantine line, although imaginary, fortifies the South 
against the live stock industry, encourages the one-crop system, 
kills diversified farming. Many live stock breeders of the northern 
states fail to see wherein they are affected by the cattle tick. Let 
these consider seriously that 10 south- 
ern states with over 3,000,000 farms, 
need more and better live stock which 
must eventually come from the north- 
ern part of the United States. The 
eradication of the cattle tick will open 
the live stock markets of the South to 
the northern breeder. 

Under present conditions, the 
shipment of northern cattle into south- 
ern tick-infested territory is not a 
business proposition for the reason 
that the northern cattle become sick and in nearly all cases die 
of "bloody murrain" or "Texas fever." 




THE FEMALE TICK AND 
ITS EGGS 

One tick is capable of laying 
4,000 eggs within a week's time. 
In summer the eggs hatch in 
about three w^eeks, while in 
fall and winter they will lie 
dormant. 



55 



A New South Is Here 



The South is a natural cattle country. The climatic condi- 
tions are right for live stock growing. Pastures provide feed 10 
months in the year in nearly all of the Cotton Belt states. Expen- 
sive barns are not essential. Grass is the native crop. God gave 



THE GREAT 
CLEAN UP IS COMING 




Map of Eastern Half of United States. Black Shows Tick-Infested Region. 

The White Space below the Quarantine Line in 1906 Shows 

the Progress of Tick Eradication Since That Time 

grass to the South. Why fight it to grow cotton to sell, to buy 
hay to feed a few work animals to grow more cotton .^^ The one- 
crop system of cotton will ruin the South, as it has improverished 
land and people in the centuries past. 

The tick is a blood-sucking parasite which fattens at the 
expense of the infested animal. 

The milk cow infested with the tick gives at least 10 per 
cent less milk by reason of its parasites. 

56 



Well Begun Is Half Done 



The tick injures the hides so they sell for one-half cent per 
pound less than similar hides not so affected. 

Every year in every tick-infested county the loss of cattle 
from this pest would more than pay for the eradication of the tick. 

The tick causes an unsanitary and unwholesome condition 
of the animals infected. Their products are unfit for human 
consumption. 

The Cattle Tick Must Go 

The South must get rid of the tick. Organized effort, work, 
determination, and the dipping vat will do it. Much has ah-eady 
been accomplished. 

Eleven states are now working hard to eradicate the cattle 
tick. A large area has been freed, but the job is but one-third 
completed. Tennessee is entirely free. North and South Caro- 
lina are half free. Georgia and Florida are carrying on state-wide 
campaigns against the tick. Mississippi is clean. 

Thousands of people in the southern states are looking for- 
ward to the time when the South will become a great live stock 
section, and the northern cattle grower should realize that the 
greater future for which the South is working holds much promise 
for him. 

The day of the tickless South will usher in a new era of 
agricultural prosperity for all the states. When that day arrives 
the North and the South will work together for the common good 
of the entire country. 



Where There Is No Vision the People Perish 

Self-satisfaction and contentment with present condi- 
tions is a most dangerous factor in the life of an individual, a 
community or a nation. No great thing has ever been done 
without a vision. 

It has been well said that there exist in every com- 
munity the forces and the ability to solve that community's 
problems. They may be and frequently are undeveloped, 
but they are none the less there. These forces must be 
sought out, stimulated, trained, and developed, and then 
applied to problems of the community. 




Fig. 1 

Mississippi in 1910 — 
Entire State Under Quarantine 



MISSISSIPPI DRIVES OUT THE TICK 

Mississippi held a jollification to celebrate the glad tidings 

that her soil was at last free of cattle tick and that the quarantine 

had been lifted from the last county in 
the state. In the 12 years' war, 
379,312 square miles have been re- 
claimed for healthy stock, and the 
campaign to reclaim the rest is now 
going forward with a rush. Opposi- 
tion to the Federal program has almost 
ceased, and the south is looking for- 
ward to the day when she will be the 
chief stock raising belt of the United 
States. 

Heaven grant that day comes 
quickly! There is need of it. 

Twelve years ago, 728,562 square 
miles of the United States were m- 
fested by the fever-carrying cattle 
tick. This meant that over an area 

three and one-half times as great as France, cattle raising was 

under a handicap which made real success impossible. This 

region included some of the finest 

natural cattle country in the land, for 

the pest entered Texas across the Rio 

Grande and spread north and east till 

it covered most of the old South, where 

mild climate and good pasturage seem 

to invite the multiplication of herds. 
From that time to this, the 

United States Department of Agricul- 
ture has waged a steady fight against 

this scourge. Its weapons were poison 

and starvation; it poisoned the ticks 

by dipping the infected herds, and 

starved them by keeping stock out of 

infected pastures. But this required 

the cordial and intelligent co-operation 

of the farmers, and for a long time 

that co-operation was hard to secure. Indeed, there was active 

opposition in many cases; only a few years ago some dippmg 

vats were blown up by dynamite in one of the rural counties of 

Mississippi. 

58 




Fig. 2 



Mississippi in 1918 — 
Quarantine Lifted; Tick Free 



A BUNCH OF SHEEP ON EVERY FARM WILL 
SOLVE PROBLEM OF WOOL SHORTAGE 

NOT only is there a shortage of meat animals, but we are 
facing a serious shortage of wool. The solution of the 
wool problem is a bunch of sheep on every farm. 

On every farm grass and weeds grow unmolested around 
buildings, along fences and roads, in com or stubble fields. 
Weeds mean waste, but sheep or goats will turn weeds to good 
account. 

No farm animal will respond more readily to care and feed 
than sheep. They require less attention than any other farm 
animal. 

There is a world-wide shortage of sheep. The consumption 
of mutton is on the increase. The wool supply of the world is 
about exhausted. Fat lambs and wool bring fabulous prices, 
not solely on account of the war, but from a genuine demand 
of the people. There is wonderful interest in sheep-growing 
everywhere, but the demand for mutton and wool is so great that 
producers cannot meet it. 

Expensive housing is unnecessary. Warm shelter is essential 
only when the lambs are very young. The roof is the important 
part of the sheep house. Keep the sheep dry during the winter 
season, and the fleece will provide the warmth. The require- 
ments of sheep are simple, and their returns in fleece and fat 
lambs will surprise you. It is not necessary to tell farmers what 
a bunch of good ewes will add to the yearly profits of the farm. 
The market reports will tell that. 

There is no better winter feed for the ewes than good silage 
and alfalfa hay. A good ewe will give more milk for the feed 
consumed than will the best dairy cow. Her lamb will do the 



B|Kiij^l 


1^ 


%JP 




_ -^t - 




1 


d 


1 

i! 

IfiB 


■^"^St^^k 


1 


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s^bhhI 





It Is Little Trouble to Raise Sheep. Keep Them Out of Mud, Give Them Frequent 
Change of Pasture and They Will Thrive. 

59 



■^Ji Give the Sheep a Square Deal 



milking, and by converting the milk into high priced mutton the 
farmer can get much more per 100 pounds for the ewe's milk 
than for the cow's, and in addition the ewe furnishes a fleece 
each year to sell. 

Care should be taken not to feed sour or moldy silage to 
sheep. It has in many cases proved fatal. 

Ewes raising lambs can be fed sweet silage up to four or five 
pounds per day after they have become accustomed to it. Dur- 
ing the winter, before the lambs arrive, the ewes, if in good con- 
dition at the start, need only a light silage ration with alfalfa hay 
and corn fodder. Sometimes a feed of bright, not moldy, straw 
is relished by the ewes. 

Sheep kept in muddy yards for long periods are almost sure 
to get sore feet. Give them dry footing, and there will be no 
trouble. 

Sheep need a change of pasture. Turning them from one 
field into another furnishes this change and keeps the sheep 
healthy. 

Raising Lambs Profitable 

Select a bunch of rugged "mutton-shaped" ewes and mate 
them in the fall with a pure-bred sire of good form and fleece. 
Have the lambs born in March if there is plenty of good feed for 
the ewes and warm shelter for the lambs. Otherwise the lambs 
had better not arrive until later, when the weather is warmer 
and the ewes can get some grass to increase their flow of milk. 

Some farmers have the lambs born in January or February 
and fatten them for earher markets. This necessitates much 
care, abundant feed, and warm shelter, but it is a profitable 
business when well managed. 

When lambs are 10 days old they will begin eating grain 
and hay. Fix a creep for them so they can have a trough apart 
from their mothers. Give them some wheat bran and cracked 
corn, and continue to feed them all they will eat while on pasture, 
if they are to be fattened and sold when three or four months old. 
The best time to sell the lambs is before they are one year old. 

Some good farmers allow the ewes and lambs to graze during 
the summer with little or no grain, wean the lambs in August, 
and turn them into the standing corn. There is no place where 
a lamb will fatten faster than in a cornfield eating grass and weeds 
and weed seeds and the lower blades of corn. 

60 



The World Needs Wool 



Lambs should not be kept on old pastures that have been 
grazed by older sheep. There is danger of stomach worms. 
However, if tobacco dust or stems are kept before the sheep at 
all times they will not be troubled with internal parasites. 

Three hundred farmers' reports give $4.69 as the average cost 
for keeping a ewe and lamb as against $11.15 as the average 
return in wool. 

Nearly all good sheepmen keep a few of the best ewes each 
year to add to the ewe flock and take the place of the older and 
discarded ewes. 



EVERY SOLDIER NEEDS WOOL FROM 
TWENTY SHEEP 

IF you keep 20 sheep you are outfitting a soldier 
who is risking his life for your freedom. If you 
have a flock of 200 sheep you will clothe 10 men 
who are fighting in France. And if you have no sheep 
you are failing to do all that is in your power to help 
win the war. 

" Six farms out of every seven in the United States 
have no sheep. 

"More than the entire wool production of the 
United States will be used for our armies. Where will 
we get the wool to make clothes for the civihans.^ 
Every ship is needed to transport men and supplies 
from America to Europe. Unless the necessity is 
extreme, we can't spare ships for long voyages to 
Australia, South Africa, and South America to get wool. 
Furthermore, those countries have not increased their 
production. 

"The problem must be solved by the production 
of more sheep on farms throughout the United States. 
We must produce our wool at home instead of hauling 
it from the other side of the world. We can do it if 
you will put some sheep on your farm." 



01 



DOGS KILL THE SHEEP INDUSTRY 

OVER one hundred million people in the United States must 
be clothed and fed. Many other millions in the allied 
nations need the help of America. Our soldiers and sailors 
as well as those of our allies must be kept warm. 

We need more wool. We must have more sheep. This appeal 
comes directly from our government. 




(Courtesy National Stockman and Farmer) 

Fifty Breeding Ewes Out of a Flock of Fifty-Four Killed in One Night by Two 
Worthless Curs on a Pennsylvania Farm. The Sheep Were Valued at $1,000 



• There are several reasons for our shortage of sheep, but the 
main reason is the dog nuisance. 

In 36 states approximately 108,000 sheep are killed every 
year by dogs. In these states U. S. crop correspondents report the 
production of sheep would increase 150 per cent were it not that 
farmers are discouraged by the killing of sheep by dogs. 

This means that the dog nuisance causes an annual decrease 
of 21,000,000 head of sheep that would otherwise be raised. 

Out of 5,000 farmers in all parts of the United States, when 
asked by the International Harvester Company the reason for 
the scarcity of sheep, all but 18 gave dogs as the main reason. 

62 



Dogs Eat Bolh Food and Clothing 



The dog is a carrier of hog cholera, stomach and tape worms, 
lice, ticks, fleas, rabies, and foot and mouth disease. 

He brings contagious diseases home to the family. 

He runs at large, practically unrestrained. 

The laws enacted to govern him are not enforced. 

He is given more freedom than sheep, hogs, horses and cattle. 

He is the only animal that runs at will over other people's 
fields, yards, sheep folds, and feed lots. 

Any one has a right to own a dog, but no one has a right to 
maintain a nuisance. 

The dog owner should be compelled to keep his dog at home 
or under his control at all times. 

The dog owner, not the sheep owner, should be compelled to 
build a dog-proof fence. The fence that will keep dogs out will 
keep dogs in. 

Dog chains and muzzles are inexpensive. The use of both 
can be compelled by law. High license, if enforced, will help 
eradicate the useless dog. 

Men have been financially ruined by sheep-killing dogs. 
Sheep raising in long-settled communities has been discontinued 
and kept out oi" new communities because of sheep-killing dogs. 

When we let our dogs run at large to destroy the food and 
clothing needed by ourselves and our neighbors, we are not doing 
our duty to the community and the nation. 




Any Boy or Girl Would Love Pets Like These. They Mean Profit as Well as Pleasure. 

63 



A SHEEP CLUB IN EVERY COMMUNITY 

A NATION-WIDE movement has been started which 
promises to do much toward increasing our production of 
wool and mutton. It is the organization of boys' and girls' 
sheep clubs. 

Not only should there be a bunch of sheep on every farm, 
but every community should have a sheep club. 

No branch of live stock is more profitable or interesting to 
boys and girls than sheep. 

Calf clubs, pig clubs, corn clubs, and potato clubs are doing 
much to make young people more than self-supporting, but sheep 
clubs provide an additional opportunity to impress upon our 
children the value of growing crops and animals. When a boy 
owns a few sheep he will stay on the farm. He will not want to 
leave home to seek a job in the city. 

Mean Better Communities 

The boy or girl who has a pair of ewes will become a part of 
the community. They will help bind the community to the soil, 
and the only permanently prosperous people are those who are 
close to the soil. Sheep clubs mean live stock farming. 

Banks, business men, commercial organizations should organ- 
ize sheep clubs. They should enable each club member to buy 
a ewe or a pair of ewes. The boys and girls should be given the 
chance to buy the animals on their personal notes, each note 
signed by their father or mother, and payable from the proceeds 
of the increase. 

Sheep raising under proper conditions is very profitable. No 
animal returns more for the feed consumed than sheep. They 
may be pastured on timber or cutover lands, on waste lands, and 
along roadsides. 

Give Children Orphan Lambs 

In 1916 members of sheep clubs in the state of Washington 
raised over 1,000 orphan lambs. One boy raised 42, mainly on 
milk and by-products, until they were old enough to graze. Then 
he herded them on the sweet clover along the irrigation ditches. 
One girl cared for 58 orphans. 

Sheep clubs will do much to awaken a nation-wide sentiment 
against lawless dogs. In communities where sheep are raised 
the dogs must go, or live at home and live within the law. 



YOU CAN HAVE A SILO 



THE silo saves the whole crop; prevents waste in feeding; 
makes it possible to keep more stock; makes cheap beef and 
milk; saves storage space; helps utilize cheap roughage ; 
insures succulent feed for winter and summer; tides over time of 
drouth; clears the land for eaily fall plowing — silage, the winter 
pasture. 

Missouri found in a steer-feeding experiment where corn 
silage was compared with hay, $1.07 for every 100 pounds of beef 
was saved by the use of silage. 

The Illinois Station in Bulletin 73 found corn ensilage worth 

31 per cent more than corn fodder 
when all costs were considered. 
The Ohio Station found they 
could produce butter fat 9 cents 
a pound cheaper by feeding ensi- 
lage than they could by feeding 
hay. A like difference was found 
in milk production. 

The Indiana Experiment 
Station found corn ensilage to be 
worth from $5.50 to $6.50 per 
ton when fed to fattening steers 
and sheep, and that corn ensi- 
lage costs the farmer about $2 a 
ton. 

The Mississippi Static n 
found corn ensilage in the South 




65 



The Silo Saves Waste 



the most economic means of producing both milk and butter. 

The Pennsylvania Station realized $6.20 a ton for silage when 
fed for milk and butter production. 

The Ontario, Canada, Experiment Station made a saving of 
$63 on every $200 invested in feed by the use of corn ensilage in 
preference to hay in feeding cattle. 

The Kansas Experiment Station not only produced beef 
cheaper with silage in the ration, but also the silage-fed steers sold 
at a higher price on the market than did the dry-fodder steers. 
They found corn ensilage when put in the silo would keep for 
five and six years and retain its feeding value. 

Thousands of farmers and stockmen all over the country 
have been demonstrating for the last quarter of a century the 
economic use of the silo, and all who now have such ecjuipment 
are strong in its praise. 

Results of Oliio Experiment 

In a test conducted last year, the Ohio Experiment Station 
endeavored to answer the question : Can silage be made to take 
the place of a considerable portion of the grain ration usually fed 
to dairy cows.^* The result of this experiment is briefly summarized 
below: 

The rations fed carried practically the same amount of dry 
matter. In one ration over 50 per cent of this dry matter was 
derived from silage and less than 18 per cent was derived from 
grain. In the other ration over 57 per cent of dry matter was 
derived from grain, no silage being fed. 

Ten cows representing five different breeds were fed these 
rations from two to four months, five cows taking the test the 
full four months. 

The cows fed the silage ration produced 96.7 pounds of milk 
and 5.08 pounds of butter fat per 100 pounds of dry matter. 

The cows fed the grain ration produced 81.3 pounds of milk 
and 3.9 pounds of butter fat per 100 pounds of dry matter. 

The average net profit per cow per month over cost of feed 
was $5.86 with the silage ration, and $2.40 with the grain ration. 

66 



SILAGE BETTER THAN FODDER 

At the Nebraska Experiment Station, in 1911, two groups of 
r\ calves nine months old were fed from March 25 to August 15. 

In one lot each animal received an average daily ration of: 

Pounds 

Corn 7.5 

Alfalfa Hay . 4.1 

Shredded Stover (without ears) 3.6 




Some Farjiers Think that Digging Corn Fodder Out of the Snow in Winter 
Is More Profitable than Having a Silo 

The animals in the other lot received an average daily ration of: 

Pounds 

Corn 6.1 

Alfalfa '3.4' 

Corn Silage 15.0 

The larger amount of corn was fed to the stover lot f o offset 
the grain contained in the silage. The two rations, therefore, 
were practically identical except that to one lot of animals the 
cornstalks were fed as shredded stover, while to the other silage 
was fed. 

The silage-fed calves made an average daily gain of 1.8 
pounds each, which was about one-third of a pound more than 
the average daily gain in the stover-fed lot. The total dry matter 

67 



Every Test Proves Its Value 



required for a pound of gain, which is the best test of the effi- 
ciency of the rations, was 8.9 pounds in the lot fed stover, but 
only 7.8 pounds in the lot fed silage. The silage ration was 
12 per cent more efficient than the stover ration. On that basis 
the same area of corn of the same kind when put in the silo 
would make 12 per cent more beef than when cut for fodder 
and fed dry. The difference in this test would no doubt have 
been greater if the silage and stover had formed a larger portion 
of the ration in each case. 







<'ulliiig (^oni for the Silo With a Corn Binder. 



68 




HOW TO GET A STAND OF ALFALFA 

EMEMBER that alfalfa can be grown on your farm. 

It adapts itself to all kinds and conditions of soil and 
"climate. 

Alfalfa is the cheapest source of protein. 

Alfalfa is the most enriching crop we have, and ensures larger 
yields from the crops that follow. When a good stand is once 
secured it lasts for four or five years in the humid regions, and 
much longer in sections of the West. 

Alfalfa can be fed to all kinds of farm animals and has no 
superior as a hog pasture. 




Hoge on Alfalfa Pasture, J. D. Bacon Farm, Grand Forks, N. D. 

Alfalfa adds humus to the soil, resists drouth better than 
any olher crop. 

As hay, alfalfa has no equal, it is rich in protein, the very 
thing in which our corn and most other crops are deficient. It 
balances the ration; will save the purchase of high priced cattle 
feed. No piece of ground on the farm will bring greater profits 
than the five, 10 or 20 acres put into alfalfa, provided the work 
is done properly and a good stand secured. 

You Can Grow Alfalfa 
Manure — Manure and plow a piece of ground in the fall- 
If this cannot be done, manure the ground in the winter or early 
spring, disk thoroughly, then plow. 

69 



IVtennixMitktn ^iiissi Succrsss 



lull tlie ir«^l« — I>i>i.. hATTo^ cur cultivate ewTV IM 
dsys durisir April May aud J.irjf"- Thk vill k^vp ^sreieds fncim 
irrL-^-srinp. save the lacastore and provide a firm 5sec»d bed miiidi 
aifaUa must have. 

Lime Iixiport^xnt — ^A|!i|»l>r €ran thi^eie to five tons of cradkei 

Snie nxi or sirreemriir? per aore, donnsr tf»e Sf««^, be^ne siowi^. 

TiBBc and Am«>unt to S<»*r — ^N>v £rom 10 to 12 |jkound$ 

«f 9md per acvr citkH* tbe lust of Jime, dBa«i«r July, or tbe first 

«f Ai^BSt, midKiat a Bui^iP crop. 

iBBiportant Tlunss — Tbf ioBiKrtamt tlmtss are — ^Manure, 
IiBBe« KilHivr tbe Veed>. a Firm S«eed Bed. Sowins Early to 
Giw StT»n£ riant* to withstand Vintear, and — DETER- 
3tfIN.\T10N. 

Time to Re-$ow — \rban Sicwn eaiiy. say tike bst of Jime 
or B J«ly, *iMwH a keayy raia "cratst'^ tlie gramMl, pveveatii^ 
tte seed fnni c<]«HKr fq> v^ tiwrp £^ tine to le-sov, tims pc^^jtr 
&r loss ii a ye.ar in gettmg a staad. 

I aev^r hnits. is geBerallY be-i>f6 ?i3l. 
to ^bt •TQwi^ of al&i^ TUs is espedalh- 
e^l of &e MBSQod nvoi. It is i j a ^ le and easy to d.x 
Senare aaiic sodfrci-a food alEdii or sveet dkyrer field, and 
Arc or fonr honied ponnife of the sod per aoe from 
of a vifson bcsc and kaEroMria at once, as snnfi^ht 



ra ■«! gfxjar ««■ on soar. vet. sos^* 
SkIi giuun d sfexdi b^ ti3e drained. 

Ho«r to Keep a Stand 

CnbivaAe, Cadtivste, Coitiv^aftc— fiotk Ways — Cahr»-a- 
tionBneoessvTtokeepasoodstiBd. Don't be afraid of baiting 
tbe alfaKa — Gaitrraite botb vay». A spn^ tootk bamw b 
tbe best ted to nse. It destroys v^eds as a;dl as bine gms, 

^g ii£MjiL, mbicii pio<nte theg m— d ftoBgetti^hagd. 

B^B cnllii ilJaj, Ae fi^t ftji'nib after 9owii^ — cobiTate 
after encb cattily, f^tft after tte ftsi aa tfae T4aiit*a acben yon 
««Btba««taMC 

Gnt m^en Shants Stx«— Ckt vbn tbe fitde sfexJts or 
bsi^ st tbe l^Ft? GT crnnra cf Ibe ^ksat besio to frow. Don't 



Cut Wlien New Shoot» Start 



wait, cut then. Ihi.-, x-. 
important, especially for the 
first cutting in the spring. 

WTien the buds or shoote 
start, the crop w mature, th*^ 
leaves wiU s^y^n begin to fall, 
and the strength Is going to 
the newr shoots to produce a 
new^ crop. Get out the 
mowcT and cut it, no mat- 
ter what the weather. 

If we delay cutting until 
the new shoots grow up there 
Is not sufficient strength left 
in the roots to send up a new 
crop immediately. The result 
is that the alfalfa Ls greatly in- 
jured, if not killed outright. 
.\t best, it will turn yellow, 
make a poor growth, permit- 
ting the blue grass, foxtail, 
crab grass, and other weeds to 
get ahead of the alfalfa. Keep 
your eye on the little shoot- — 
never mind the blossom- 
Make the last cuttin^- ;r. 
the fall early eno«jgh to ;.-:- 
mit of culti>'ation to km the 
crab grass, and yet give the 
plant time to make a good 
growth for winter protectiaa. 




Let Us eire to the world the best we 
tave and the best will come back to us- 



DO NOT IMPORT SEED CORN 

IN 1917 there was nation-wide alarm about seed corn. The 
condition was the most critical experienced in 20 years. 
The Corn Belt has suffered tremendous losses. A backward 
season, early September frost, and a cold October followed by 
warm, muggy weather in November, did the damage. 

As a result, the first impulse was to import seed corn. But 
corn grown from seed brought in from other locaUties will be 
inferior in yield and quality, and in many cases, total failure 
will follow. You may think the danger is over, but don't fool 
yourself into thinking that 1917 is the only off year we are to 
experience. Other bad years will come. 

We must not import seed corn until we have exhausted 
every source to obtain seed in our own neighborhood. Always 
keep this in mind. Rather than go without seed, import it, but 
get it from just as near home as possible. Thousands of tests 
made by experiment stations, tests made in 28 states by th.K3 
government, and the results borne out in actual experience, show 
the danger of importing corn. 

These facts are not the results of one test, for one year, in 
one locality, but for a period of eight years in 33 different counties 
in Iowa with over 6,000 tests. In not a single case did the 
imported samples equal the home-grown seed. The home-grown 
corn, in every test, out-yielded the imported corn on an average 
of 20 bushels to the acre, and was of better quality. 

Will we ever learn to save seed.^ We can import potatoes, 
oats and wheat, but we cannot import seed corn and expect to 
get as good results as we would get from corn grown in the 
immediate neighborhood. It will be impossible to measure the 
loss of land, labor, food and money to the people of this country 
if we fail to realize the importance of these facts. 



"Mother Earth may offer her choicest fields, the sun 
may lavish his brightest rays, the gentle showers may 
float down on the balmiest winds of spring to nourish the 
infant plant — yet, if this child of God has been touched by 
the blighting breath of decay, or is the off"spring of per- 
verted parentage, all the kindly care of loving Nature, 
aided by the hand of man, but emphasizes the more 
strongly that 'Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he 
also reap.' " 



72 



I 




HARVEST SEED CORN BEFORE IT 
FREEZES 

F every ear of corn intended for planting was harvested at the 
proper time and properly stored, millions of dollars would be 
added to the value of our annual corn crop. 

Every ear of corn intended for planting should be harvested 
before the severe fall freezes, and stored where it will dry out and 

keep dry. In Iowa and the 
northern half of Illinois, this 
work should be done during 
the last 10 days of September 
or the first four or five days of 
October. Frozen seed corn 
costs the country millions of 
dollars every year. 

Many farmers are careful 
to harvest and store their seed 
corn at the proper time and in 
the proper manner, but the 
majority of us depend for 

Fig. l.-Method of Gathering Seed Corn. ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^le OCCasioUal gOOd 

ears found during the husking season or we select our seed 
from the crib in the spring. 

This results in poor seed corn, and poor seed corn means a 
poor stand, missing hills, weak stalks, producing little or nothing. 
It means less than 30 bushels per acre instead of 60. It means 
that we produce an average of one small ear to each hill instead 
of two or three. It means 
wasted land and wasted labor 
— and in these d^ays of food 
shortage we cannot afford to 
waste either. 

If harvesting seed corn 
was a portion of our everyday 
work, like feeding our live 
stock, it would be done on 
time. But as it comes only 
once a year it is human for us 
to put it off or neglect it alto- 
gether. 




Fig. 2 — Tying up Seed Corn. 



73 



Poor Seed Means Poor Yield 




On every farm where corn 
is grown, a certain date, de- 
pending upon the locahty, 
should be set aside as seed 
corn day, and on that day the 
seed corn for the next year's 
planting should be harvested 
and stored. 

In many cases the work 
could not be completed in one 
day, but a good beginning 
could be made, and it will 
Fig. 3-stringing the Ears. rcquirc Icss tlmc than is gen- 

erally supposed. Six bushels of Seed will plant about 43 acres 
of corn, if there is no waste and no replanting is necessary. But 
it is best to save 15 or 20 bushels for each 40 acres. This will 
provide for all ordinary emergencies and will enable us to plant 
only the best and strongest ears. 

One of tlie best methods of gather- 
ing seed corn is to go into the best 
fields with bags or baskets and select 
well matured ears from the most vigor- 
ous stalks. 

We should not fail to consider the 
stalk in selecting the seed, for it requires 
large, thrifty stalks to produce good, big 
ears. It is not a good plan to take 
the ear from a stalk that grew in a 
hill by itself, or from one in a hill with 
a barren or weak stalk. Many of the 
kernels on such an ear are likely to be 
polleni^ed by the barren or weak stalk. 

Choose" ears of a medium height. 
If we select the highest ears, our corn 
will likely become late. If we select 
the lowest ears we will soon have corn 
that is too early and with shalk)w 
kernels and wide furrows between the 
rows. 

74 




Fig. 4 — Ready to Hang Up. 



I^K*^ 



Take Care of Your Seed Corn f^^ 

Pick ears that drop over so that their tips are turned down- 
ward. Such ears shed water better when it rains and are usually 
drier than ears standing upright. Shank should be short, as 
ears with long shanks are harder to husk and are more often 
damaged. 

See that the husks are long enough to cover the tips of the 
ear, but do not extend far beyond. If the tip is left bare, it 
is likely to be damaged by insects or disease, and if the husks 
extend far beyond the point of the ear, they are usually tightly 
closed so that the ear cannot dry out well and is difficult to husk. 

There should be a medium growth of broad, thrifty leaves 
distributed evenly over the stalk, and the plant should be free 
from all forms of disease, such as smut, rust, etc., and should also 
be free from suckers. 

Storing Seed Corn 

As soon as the corn is picked, it should be husked and placed 
so that the air can circulate freely around every ear. Never 
put it in a pile on the floor, even over night. 

When picked, corn contains a lot of moisture and if placed 
in a pile will heat, or mould, or both in a very short time. It should 
be so arranged that the ears do not touch each other. 

A rack can be made or purchased which will provide for the 
proper conditions for storing seed corn and one of the most satis- 
factory methods is to tie up with binding twine as shown in cuts. 

The strings, containing 12 or 15 ears each, can be suspended 
from horizontal wires or from nails driven in rafters. By this 
method enough corn to plant eight acres can be stored in a space 
3 feet long and 10 inches wide. 

This method of storing gives better protection from mice 
than when the corn is spread on the floor, or corded in piles, 
gives better circulation of air, which allows the corn to dry out 
quickly and thoroughly, thus protecting it from moulding and 
sprouting. 

Experiments have shown that the attic or some up-stairs 
room, where the windows can be opened to give circulation of air 
during October and November, is the best place to hang seed 
corn. A space 3 by 8 feet will hold 200 strings of seed — enough to 
plant 200 acres. If three-fourths of this is discarded in the spring 
there wiU still be enough to plant 50 acres, which is more than the 
average corn acreage on each farm. Hang the strings in rows, 
four inches apart, each way. 

75 



TEST EVERY EAR OF SEED CORN 
BEFORE PLANTING 

IT is only good business to know that the seed that we put into 
the ground will grow ; and the only way we can tell good seed 
is by testing it. We can't do it merely by looking at it. If 
we want profitable yields, we must plant good seed. 

It will take about 600 ears to plant 40 acres. Twenty-four 
hours' time of one man, two days' work, will test six kernels 
from each ear to plant 40 acres — yet, because it is "too much 
bother" we pick out 600 ears, look at them, guess that they 
will grow, and plant them. As a consequence, more than 12 
acres out of each 40 acres of corn planted on the average Corn 
Belt farm produce nothing. This is worse than useless, because 
we must plow, plant and cultivate these 12 acres and get nothing 
in return. 

By testing we get rid of the bad, weak, and moldy ears. 
Testing does not hurt the corn ; it costs but Uttle work and can 
be done at a time of the year when other farm work is not pressing. 
By testing we have everything to gain and nothing to lose. 

In 1910 and 1911, at the Iowa State College of Agriculture, 
a careful germination test was made of 45,000 ears of corn. The 
results show that the testing of each ear before planting, increased 
the yield per acre, 193^ bushels in 1910, and 10 bushels in 1911. 
It will cost from 10 cents to 15 cents per acre to test the seed by 
the sawdust-box method. 



How to Test Seed Corn with the Sawdust Germination Box 

The germination box is about 30 inches square and 4 inches 
deep. Fill the box about half full of moist sawdust well pressed 
down so as to leave a smooth, even surface (see Fig. I) — The 

sawdust should be put in a 
gunny sack and set in a tub 
of warm water for at least an 
hour (or still better over 
night), so that it will be 
thoroughly moistened before 
using. Rule off a piece of 
good white cloth (sheeting), 
about the size of the box, 
into squares, checkerboard 




Figure I. 



76 



Pi 



Test, Don't Guess 




Figure II. 



fashion, 2^ inches each way. Number the squares 1, 2, 3, etc. 
Place the cloth on the sawdust and tack it to the box at the 
corners and edges. (See Fig. II.) 

Lay out the ears to be 
tested side by side on planks, 
tables, or on the floor, and 
drive nails at the ends of the 
rows to hold the ears in place ; 
remove one kernel from near 
the butt, middle, and tip of 
the ear; turn the ear over 
and remove three kernels from 
the opposite side in like 

manner, making six kernels in all, thus securing a sample from 

the entire ear. Place the six kernels at the end of the ear from 

which they were taken. Use care that the kernels do not get 

mixed with those from another ear. After the kernels are 

removed, boards may be laid over the rows of ears to keep them 

in place until the result of the germination test is known. Place 

the six kernels from ear No. 1 in square No. 1 of the germination 

box; from ear No. 2 in square No. 2, and so on with all the ears. 

Lay a piece of good cloth (a good quality of sheeting) on top 

of the kernels and dampen 

it by sprinkling water over 

it. (See Fig. III.) Press 

down gently with the palm 

of the hand, being careful not 

to misplace the kernels in the 

squares. Now place over this 

cloth another cloth of the 

same material considerably 

larger than the first one 

(about six feet square, see Fig. 

IV) and fill in on top two or 

three inches of moist, warm sawdust. 

Some use sand or soil in the germination box, but after 
many tests, with other materials, sawdust is, beyond question, 
far better than anything else. 

Pack it down firmly by treading with the feet or with a 
brick. (See Fig. V.) The edges of the cover should be folded over 

77 




Figure III. 



Boys Will Lilie to Test Corn 



n 




Figure IV. 



the sawdust in the box to pre- 
vent drying out. (See Fig. 
VI.) Now set the box away 




Figure V. 

for eight or nine days until 
the kernels sprout. 

Keep in an ordinarily warm 
place, like the living room, 
where it will not freeze. The 
kernels will germinate in about 
eight days. 

Remove the cover care- 
fully to avoid misplacing the 
kernels in the squares. Ex- 
amine the kernels in each 
square in the germination 
box, and discard all ears 
whose kernels in the box are 
dead, moldy, or show weak 
Figure VI. germination. 

Special Things to be Observed — Be sure to soak the 
sawdust at least one hour — or better still over night. 

Use good quality of cloth (sheeting) for the cloth which 
is marked off in squares and the cloth which is laid over 
the kernels. 

Leave at least two inches of margin around the edges of the 
box, to prevent freezing and drying out. 

Rule the cloth off in squares 23^ x V/i inches. 

73 




One Day Worth More Than Month 



Never use the box the second time without first thoroughly 
scalding both the cloths and sawdust. (The cloth should be 
untacked and the sawdust removed to do this.) 

Do not open too soon. The stem sprouts should be at least 
two inches long. 

Throw out all ears showing weak germination as well as 
the dead ears. 

How to Read the Test 

Figure VII. — Ears Nos. 2, 6, 9, and 11 should be discarded. 
Ears Nos. 3, 5, 8 and 10 are strong. Save out ears like these for 
the best 100 ears, provided they are good in other respects. 
Ears may have life as in the case of No. 6, but when these kernels 
fall into the hills with the 
others, like Nos. 3 or 5, they 
are deprived of food and light 
and give us stalks with little 
or no grain, but they produce 
pollen to scatter over the field 
to propagate their kind. Ear 
No. 6 is one of the kind that 
fools us, when we attempt to 
judge by the eye and the jack- 
knife method. Ear No. 6 was 
planted by the side of ear No. Figure vii. 

3 but yielded less than half the corn in the fall. 

If you buy the germination boxes and the cloth and hire 
the work done, it will not cost to exceed 16 cents per acre to test 
every ear for seed. 

We cannot afford to neglect this important work. If evr ry 
farmer would test every ear of his seed corn in the winter in the 
way described above, the yield would be wonderfully increased. 
No other time will be so profitable to the farmer as that spent in 
testing the vitality of his seed and in grading to insure the planter's 
dropping the proper number of kernels in each hill. It is possible 
for everyone to do this work. It will cost nothing but the time, 
of which there is plenty at the season when the work should be 
done. Every farmer should realize the importance of testing 
every ear of his seed corn before spring work begins. 

One day spent in March on the seed corn may be worth 
more than a month of hard work in the field later. 




79 



Testing Lessens Risk 1^^^ 

Without good seed, the after labor is of little avail. 
Nothing is more depressing or discouraging than a poor 
stand of corn. If the seed is carefully tested and only good 
seed planted there are no risks to run, except those made 
necessary to everyone from the conditions of the weather, 
insects, etc., which cannot be controlled. It is during 
the bad seasons, when conditions are unfavorable, that 
we most need the kernels with large, deep germs of bright, 
cheerful color, well matured, and likely to give the most 
vigorous germination. 

EIGHT CORN COMMANDMENTS 

1. Thou shalt harvest every ear of corn intended for 
seed next year, and store it where it will dry out before 
there is danger of injury by freezing. The exact date at 
which this should be done will vary according to the latitude in 
which you are situated. 

2. Thou shalt test at least six kernels from every ear 
of seed corn and discard the dead, weak and moldy ears. 

3. Thou shalt shell each ear of seed corn separately, 
and grade it so that the planter will drop the desired 
number of kernels regularly. 

4. Thou shalt improve the corn by planting some of 
the choicest ears together from which to select seed for 
the following year. 

5. Thou shalt not import seed corn from a distance 
except in small amounts as an experiment. Do not plant 
the general fields with imported corn until it has demonstrated 
its value in your locality. 

6. Thou shalt not plant corn in a field the next year 
after it has been in small grain. 

7. Thou shalt not grow corn more than two years in 
succession upon the same land. 

8. Thou shalt have a rotation of crops which includes 
clover, cowpeas, or some other leguminous crop at least 
once every four years. 

All of these things can be carried out upon any farm without 
expensive equipment and without increasing the expense already 
incurred in the management of the farm. 

80 



SAVE THE CROP BY GOOD SHOCKING 
AND STACKING 

THE loss to the United States every year from poor shocking 
is enormous. This is especially true in rainy seasons. 

Many do little more than throw the bundles together and 
call it a shock. Often this is done with the false notion that we 
are saving time, but frequently it is due to not knowing how to 
"set up a shock." 




A GOOD WAY TO SHOCK OATS 
FIRST STEP— Brace the first two 
bundles firmly against each other, 
bringing them down with force eo that 
the butts fitsolidly on the ground; call 
these bundles one and two. 



SECOND STEP— Brace the third and 
fourth bundles firmly over the butt of 
bundle one. Likewise place bundles five 
and six over the butt of bundle two. 



When a shock once twists down, t is impossible to reset it. 
The fact is, we let it go, hoping that we will soon thresh or stack. 




THIRD STEP — Bundles seven and eight 
have been placed in the open space on the 
front of the shock and bundles nine and 
ten are brought up ready to place in a 
similar position on the other side of the 
ehock. 

81 



FOURTH STEP— Bundles nine and 
ten have been placed and the shock 
is ready to cap. 



Definite Plan Important 



The important thing is to set the shock up right in the first 
place. The right way is the easiest and quickest in the long 
run. Oats will stand a lot of rain if the bundles stand up, but 
when they go down the oats are almost certain to spoil. If the 
weather is bad, bundles lying on the ground will not dry out, 
especially if they are thrown together in a bunch or have twisted 
down in the shock. 

There are several good ways of making a shock. It is 
important, first, to have a definite plan, and not just stick the 
bundles in "any old place" where there seems to be room; and, 
second, to bring the bundles down with force, lots of it, so 
that the butts fit solidly on the ground. Don't just lean the 
bundles up against the shock ; if we do, the shock will certainly 
twist down. 



KNOCKER OR BOOSTER? 

WHEN the Creator had made all the good things, 
it seemed there was still some dirty work to do, 
so He made the beasts, and the reptiles and the 
poisonous insects; and when He had finished He still 
had some old scraps left over that were too bad to put 
into the Rattlesnake, the Hyena, the Scorpion, and the 
Skunk; so He put all these together, covered it with 
suspicion, wrapped it with jealousy, marked it with a 
yellow streak, and called it a Knocker. 

This product was so fearful to contemplate that 
He had to make something to counteract it, so He took 
a sunbeam, put into it the heart of a child, the brain of 
a man, wrapped it in civic pride, covered it with 
brotherly love, made it a believer in equality and 
justice, a worker for and supporter of every good thing 
in the community, and called it a Booster; and thence- 
forth mortal man has had the privilege of choosing his 
associates. — Anon. 



82 



HOW TO VITALIZE THE TEACHING OF 
AGRICULTURE IN THE RURAL SCHOOLS 



T 



HERE is no longer any question as to whether or not 
agriculture shall be taught in the rural schools. Sentiment 
demands it; in many states the law requires it. 

The word "agri- 
culture" as used in 
this article refers not 
only to the subjects 
directly pertaining to 
farming, but also to 
anything pertaining 
to the life and welfare 
of the children and 
the people of the com- 
munity — health, sani- 
tation, home conveni- 
ences, social condi- 
tions, and community 
interests. In fact, it 
includes anything 
which enables us to 
teach in terms of 
the lives of the peo- 
ple and the needs 
of the community. 

School work 
along these lines is 
new. We are just now 
establishing methods 
and precedents. What 
we do within the next 10 years will largely determine the future 
of the work. Let us start right, for methods are hard to change 
after they are once established. 

In a few years some of the things we are now doing in school 
will seem strange to us. 

Why should children at their period of greatest activity be 
compelled to sit quietly in their seats six hours a day? 

At this age they are veritable dynamos of nerves, muscles, 
and energy. Can they whisper? No! Look out the window? 

83 




You Think this Is a Joke? No! This Is no Joke 
This la a Tragedy 



Tragedies of the Seliool Room 




No! Use their hands and feet? No! They must sit still and 
keep "mum" except when called upon to recite. 

How unnatural ! 
Older people can't and 
won't stand it. A 
lecture an hour long 
taxes the endurance of 
most of us. If we, 
who are older, and 
have reached a period 
in our lives when we 
are naturally quiet, 
find it difficult to sit 
still one hour, how 
can we expect children 
to sit still for six long 

Developing an Interest in Grammar Jj^^^^g ^^^J^ ^^^p 

No wonder we get in school incidents such as cartooned on 
these pages. Are these jokes? No! They are tragedies. 
And tragedies for which the teacher is not to blame. She 

simply fell heir to a 
system. She is living 
up to her ideal of 
keeping order. ' ' She 
is doing what is ex- 
pected of her. In fact, 
she would lose her job 
if she didn't do it. 

The system must 
be changed. In fact, 
we are now rapidly 
changing it. Already, 
especially in our man- 
ual training and do- 
mestic science classes, 
considerable advance- 
ment has been made. 
Agricultural work, if 
properly taught, will 

Nothing but Words, Words, Words, from the Pages help greatly tO brmg 

of a Book. While the Whole World Without Unfold* ahr„,f K^ttor Tn<:.tV.r.r1o 

a Lesson Written in the Language of BeaUty aCOUI Deiier mCinoaS. 

84 




Make Studies Interesting 



Bookish work and skimming are fundamental errors in our 
agricultural work. 

We assign pages in a book — teach words, words, words, 
not things. 

An eighth grade 
girl in a school where 
agriculture had been 
taught from a book 
for two years said: 
" We had examination 
in agriculture yester- 
day, and I'm afraid I 
won't pass. I hate 
agriculture." 

This girl was as- 
sisting one of our ex- 
tension workers in 
corn testing — the first 
real agriculture (i. e., 
study of things) ever 
put into her school. 
Remembering that 
corn testing was agri- 
culture, shC' quickly 
added, "Oh, I don't 
mean this. I like this 
kind of agriculture." 

Here is the contrast. One sort of agriculture is bookish, 
dead, has no appeal to the children, and no effect on the com- 
munity ; the other is full of life, of interest, of influence. 

We mean to cast no reflection on books. They are helpful; 
they are necessary; but they are not the end in themselves. 

They must be used as tools, just as an axe is used as a tool 
— a means to an end. 

Rotate the Subjects 

The teaching of agriculture will not be a real success so long 
a3 we teach exactly the same things over and over and over again 
year after year. Neither will it be a success if, in our attempt 
to popularize the subject, we skim all the interesting things the 
first year or two, leaving nothing crisp and fresh and new for the 
teachers who follow. 




There's a Wrong and a Right Way to Teach 
Agriculture 



85 



|^^> Rotation Vitalizes School Work 

Let us rotate the subjects, thus having something new and 
live each year. 

Rotation of subjects gives the pupils more agriculture, keeps 
the work live and real and vital, and makes it easier for the 
county superintendent, who usually has httle or no help in rural 
supervision. He can train his teachers for one line of work, 
while it is very difficult to train them for all Unes of work. 

Four-Year Rotation Plan 

The Four- Year Rotation Plan corrects these errors. Have 
one year devoted to Crops, the second to Maldng Things, the 
third to Animals, and the fourth to Soils. 

When this four-year rotation is finished, we can start in again 
with the first year's work. By this time the older pupils have 
graduated, and it has been so long since the fust-year subjects 
were studied that they will be new and fresh to both teachers 
and pupils. 

Select Subjects That Belong to the Region — In selecting 
the subjects, use material that belongs to the region. During the 
Crop year, the teachers in the Corn Belt should study Corn, 
Alfalfa, Oats, Clover, Timothy, etc. 

In the South the teachers should study Cotton, Bermuda 
Grass, Lespedeza, W inter Oats, Sugar Cane, Peanuts, etc. 

In a fruit and truck gardening section, small fruits, straw- 
berries, and vegetables should be studied. In selecting the sub- 
jects, remember that the important principle is to teach in the 
terms of the lives of the children. 

Fit the Work to the Needs of the Community — If alfalfa 
is selected as a subject for the Crop year, we should not try to 
teach everything there is to know about alfalfa. Let us ask 
ourselves this question: "WTiat one, two, or three things can I 
do to encourage the growing of alfalfa, and to increase the profits 
from it in this community?" 

Answering this question will help us to distinguish between 
things which are merely interesting and things which are vital. 
To know that alfalfa was grown in Rome is interesting; to know 
how to get a stand of alfalfa is vital. It does no harm for teacher 
and pupils to know things which are merely interesting, but in 
our teaching we must put the emphasis on the vital things. 

In studying each subject take up a few concrete points, and 
aim to get definite, measurable results. 

86 



SUBJECTS FOR A FOUR-YEAR ROTATION 

FIRST YEAR— GROWING THINGS 

Corn — Harvesting Seed Corn — Storing — Testing — Cultiva- 
tion — Corn Root Worm — Corn Root Louse. 
Alfalfa — Importance of Alfalfa — How to Get a Stand — 
When to Cut. 

Oats — Treatment for Smut— How to Ruild a Shock. 
Seeds — How Seeds Grow — Depth to Plant — Knowing Seeds. 
Weeds — Worst Weeds — How to Kill Weeds. 
Garden — How to Make a Garden — What to Plant — How to 
Cultivate. 

*Sewing — Making a Sewing Box — Threading a Needle — 
Making a Knot — Hemming a Towel — Making an Apron, etc. 
Removing Stains — How to Remove Ink, Iodine, Grease, 
Tar, etc. 

SECOND YEAR— MAKING THINGS 

Rope — Tying Knots — Splicing Rope — Making a Halter. 
Cement — How to Mix Cement — Making a Cement Step, 
Tank, Post. 

Farm Tools and Machines — Importance of Good Tools 
and Machines — Setting Up a Corn Planter — How to Use 
Tools — Care of Tools and Machines. 
Fly Trap.s and Screens— How to Make, Use, etc. 
Putting Out a Fire — Use of Fire Extinguisher. 
Home Conveniences — Casters under Wood Box — Arrange- 
ment of Kitchen. 

Cold Pack Canning — Making a Homemade Outfit — Making 
Jar Holders — Canning Tomatoes. 

THIRD YEAR— LIVE THINGS 

Why Keep Live Stock — How to Feed — Testing Milk — Killing 
Pests — Diseases and Remedies — Protecting Birds — Preparing 
and Cooking Food — Setting Table. 

FOURTH YEAR— SOIL AND HOME 

How to Save Moisture — Why Rotate Crops — Making Soil 
Fertile — Drainage and Irrigation — Testing Soil — How to 
Keep Well — Getting Trees, Shrubs, and Pictures for School 
and Home — Getting Folks Together. 

*Note — The boys' and girls' work should not be sharply divided. Remember that 
boys and girls up to 12 or 13 years of age are interested in the same things. 

87 



PATRIOTISM OF THE PRESS 

WITH the entry of the United States into the world war, 
America faced problems of the most vital importance. 
They were problems which called for the best thought, 
the most untiring efforts, the greatest sacrifices, the most intense 
loyalty. They were problems which could be solved only through 
the unselfish patriotism of the people. 

A great army had to be created; a powerful navy had to be 
built. Munitions, clothing, food and hospital supplies had to 
be provided in enormous quantities. Provision for the care and 
comfort of our soldiers and sailors in camp or at the front had to 
be made. Transportation for our military and marine forces 
had to be assured. 

After three years of warfaie our allies in the great struggle 
were in immediate need of food and financial aid. It was the part 
of wisdom for us to help feed and help clothe and help arm the 
alUed forces abeady on the battle field, that they might be more 
efficient in the struggle and thus reduce the number of our own 
boys we should need to send to the front. 

The task that confronted us was the most enormous in all 
our history. It was one that called for billions of dollars, for an 
unusual production and the most careful conservation of food; 
for the breaking of home ties in thousands of homes; for the 
consecration of our united efforts and our resources to a common 
cause. 

It was an emergency that demanded an immediate awakening 
of the people. There was no question but that the people would 
respond if they understood the vital needs of the nation, but 
they must be informed and that quickly. 

In this crisis a mighty wave swept the country from coast 
to coast. It was a wave of patriotism — the patriotism of the 
press. 

Two thousand, five hundred daily newspapers carried to 
their readers, the President's appeal to the people. Seventeen 
thousand weekly, tri-weekly and semi-weekly papers fell in hue. 
Five thousand monthly, semi-monthly, bi-monthly and quarterly 
pubhcations joined in this splendid example of patriotism. 

These 24,000 periodicals, published in 36 different languages 
in over 11,000 different cities and towns and having a combined 
circulation of fully 50,000,000, carried the message to practically 

88 



s^ 



The Press, the Nation's Pulse 



every home and every person in the United States, Alaska, Porto 
Rico, Hawaii and the PhiUppines. 

Not once, only, but repeatedly, constantly, impressively 
they explained to the people the needs of the nation and with all 
the power and influence they could command, urged the people 
to respond. 

"Grow a garden; increase the food supply" was their first 
appeal. " Enhst in the army or the navy " was the next. Then 
followed appeals to the people to buy Liberty Bonds, to subscribe 
to the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A., the Y. W. C. A. and the 
Knights of Columbus funds. 

Then came appeals for war work enhstments, appeals for 
boys to help work on the farms, appeals to housewives to sign 
food conservation pledges, appeal to women to join Red Cross 
units, and finally appeals to all to buy war savings stamps, and 
subscribe to the third Liberty Loan. 

In practically every issue of all these pubhcations one or 
more of these appeals have appeared. In the aggregate they 
have occupied, not merely columns but miles of reading matter 
and editorials, worth billions of dollars if regular advertising 
rates had been charged. 

As a result millions of war gardens were planted, thousands 
of volunteers for the army, the navy, the Red Cross and other 
camp and field activities were secured. Two bilhon dollars of 
the first Liberty Loan issue and $4,500,000,000 of the second 
issue were purchased. Thirty-one million dollars was subscribed 
for the Y. M. C. A., milhons more for the Red Cross, the 
Y. W. C. A. and the Knights of Columbus. Ten million food 
conservation pledge cards were signed and hundreds of thousands 
of men, women and children enlisted for war work of various 
nature. 

In no other way, but through the loyal work and the unselfish 
service of the press could all these things have been accomphshed. 

When the war is over and we take time to look back over 
these days of struggle and sacrifice, we will be proud of the 
patriotism of the people, of organizations, of business firms and 
corporations. But in the final analysis the brightest picture, 
perhaps, will be the wonderful loyalty, the subhme patriotism of 
the press. 

89 



FARM MACHINES AND THE WAR 

Man Power Must Be Replaced By Machine Power to 
Maintain Average Crop Production 

THE peace and well being of the people not only of this 
country but Europe rest in a great measure upon the imple- 
ment dealers of America. Never has their responsibility 
been so heavy; upon no one must the government depend so 
greatly. 

Our army and navy, the workers in our industries, the 
women in our homes, the children in our schools, the people of 
the countries allied with us in the desperate struggle, all must be 
fed. Food is the vital need of the world. Without a greater 
production and a greater conservation of food than we have ever 
known, we cannot win the war. 

The Government has appealed to the farmers to increase 
their acreage of practically all grains from 5 to 51 per cent over 
what it was in 1917. This appeal is based upon the food require- 
ments for the coming year. 

To cultivate this increased acreage will necessitate an equal 
increase in the man power on the farms. But our boys have 
gone to war. We are short of labor. The situation presents an 
emergency to which there is but one solution — labor-saving 
machines and preparedness. 

The Dealer Must Do His Part 

Upon the farmers of this country rests the responsibility of 
food production, but the implement dealer must provide the 
farmer with the means for growing more food with less labor. 

This can be accomplished only by furnishing machines and 
repairs and having them shipped on time. 

Co-operation of All Interests Necessary 

To provide the machines and parts of machines needed to 
make up the shortage of labor will tax the ability of every company 
manufacturing farm implements. 

Because of war demands, there is a shortage of labor in the 
factories, a shortage of iron, steel, and other material, and ship- 
ments will be slow and uncertain. 

To be prepared, the dealer must know what machines the 
farmers in his community will need, what repairs they will require; 
know these things at the earliest possible moment; order early 

90 



What The Implement Dealer Can Do ^^ 

If^ 

so that he will receive the machines, set them up, and see that 
they are on the farms and in perfect running order before they 
are needed. He must see that all old machines are repaired and 
in good shape before they are to be put to use; get farmers to 
realize the importance of having extra parts on hand, especially 
the smaller repairs such as bearings, knife sections, gears, etc. ; 
ta;ke pains to see tliat every farmer who buys a machine is in- 
structed how to use it so as to get the most out of it; show the 
farmer how to give his machine proper lubrication and proper 
care; anticipate every trouble that is likely to be experienced. 

Let No Machines Stand Idle 

The dealer should demonstrate to the farmers the economy 
and efficiency in using the largest units possible to supply the 
horse power or man power needed ; see that smaller machines are 
not discarded but are sold or made available to other farmers 
who can use them efficiently. Let no machine stand idle for 
lack of repairs or for any other reason. 

The dealer should keep his stock of repairs right up to the 
hmit so as to avoid any delay, and when a farmer needs repairs 
he should see that he gets them as quickly as possible. 

Freight cars will have to be loaded nearer their capacity than 
ever before; they will have to be unloaded more quickly. 

When repairs and machines are ordered, binder twine and 
other supplies that are always needed should be ordered as 
"fillers" if they are required to fiU the car to its capacity. 

In other things than just his business, the dealer must be 
a live wire in his community. There will come a rush season on 
the farm. There will come a cry for labor. It will be the duty 
of the dealer to work with his Chamber of Commerce in a move- 
ment to close the stores and other places of business, if need be, 
that every man and boy may help a part of the time in the harvest 
field. 

He should co-operate to the utmost in the conservation of 
food. He should grow a garden himself and be a leader in a 
home and vacant lot garden movement. He should be active in 
encouraging home canning so that the surplus of the gardens may 
be preserved for winter. 

The implement dealer must go forward, appreciating the 
seriousness of the situation ; realizing the responsibility that rests 
upon him. 

91 



EVERY FARM A FACTORY 

THE opportunity of the town lies in the country. The 
country can get along without the town, but no town ever has 
or ever will be permanently prosperous where the land is poor. 
The town is built on farm profits; on what farmers produce in 
excess of their home needs. In fact, towns are consumers, not 
real producers. Towns are the natural evolution and outgrowth 
of necessity — places to store and distribute the world's surplus 
products through the channels of commerce. There is but one 
road to permanent city building — that road leads to the farm. 
Business is so sympathetic, so sensitive to crop production, that 
the forecast of a poor wheat or corn crop affects the markets of 
the world. When the harvest fields smile, towns wax fat, and 
factories increase the pay roll. Corn, wheat, and hay, beef, 
pork, and poultry — these are the soil builders, the home builders, 
the builders of great cities. 

The old-fashioned Chamber of Commerce, with its cash 
bonuses and free factory sites, is rapidly passing away. Instead 
of grabbing business from each other, we must realize that our 
opportunities he hidden in the fertility of the soil. Towns and 
cities are beginning to look to the country, out to the fields of 
growing corn, wheat, and cotton for their real prosperity. A 
successful hay campaign will bring factories to the town. Hay 
means beef and pork, which beckon the packing house and storage 
plant. More corn means cereal mills, glucose factories, starch 
factories. Flour mills locate in wheat producing sections. 
Creameries follow the dairy cow, and the truck patch calls for 
the canning factory. 

Let us have more Chambers of Commerce and agriculture. 
Let us create wealth from the opportunities at home, and not 
subtract it from other communities. 

We must not forget that every farm is a factory, and that 
in every state there are thousands of those factories which need 
our best thought and effort to make them productive. 



92 



The Visual Method of Instruction 

The Big Idea in Education Characterized in 
I H C Lecture Charts and Lantern Slides 
SIMPLE— LOGICAL— IMPRESSIVE-PRACTICAL 

USED EVERYWHERE— In Community and Home — 
Rural School and College — On the Farm and In the Factory 
— By Teacher, Pupil, Farmer, Banker and Merchant 

I H C CHARTS OR SLIDES LOANED FREE 

On these conditions — that you have a plan for using them, pay express charges 
from Chicago and return, and report all meetings at the end of each week 

CHARTS OR SUDES FURNISHED ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS: 

1. Corn is King 8. Weeds Mean Waste. 

2. Alfalfa on Every Farm. 9. Home Economics and Sanitation. 

3. A Fertile Soil Means a Prosperous People. 10. Fight the Fly. 

4. Live Stock on Every Farm. 11. Great Forward Movement in Education. 

5. Dairying. 12. Diversified Farming for the South. 

6. Greater Profit from the Oat Crop. 13. Home Canning. 

7. Make More from Your Farm Poultry. 14. Development of Agriculture — 

(No. 1-V in Lantern Slides only.) 

CHARTS 

I H C lecture charts are 70 inches 
long by 63 inches wide, made of a 
good grade of sheeting, printed in 
clear black letters, which can easily 
be read at a distance of 100 feet or 
more. They are arranged for setting 
up and taking down quickly and 
conveniently. 

Sets contain from ten to fifteen 
charts. Each set w^ith iron stand„ 
pointer, and lecture book, is packed 
in a canvas case. Weight, 35 lbs. 

LANTERN SLIDES 

Lantern slide sets, 50 to 60 slides, 
plain and in colors. Weight, 15 lbs. 

Lecture Books Furnished 

For the information and direction 
of lecturers, each set contains an 
illustrated lecture book outlining in 
brief form the story of each chart 
ot slide. 




THE sole object of the Agricultural Extension Department of the Inter- 
national Harvester Company is to help YOU make YOUR work more 
effective. It is not a matter of making money out of charts, slides, 
booklets, or any other material prepared and published by the Department. 
The Extension Department was not organized to make sales. But we do 
want to work with people who are in earnest; who really want to do some- 
thing worth while. 

Circuits formed to reduce express charges. Write for plan. 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ADDRESS 

International Harvester Company of New Jersey, Inc. 

Agricultural Extension Department 
CHICAGO 



Educational Publications 

PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED BY 

The I H C Agricultural Extension Department 

Harvester Building, Chicago 

Furnished Upon Receipt of Amounts Quoted Below. Quantity Lots 
Sent Transportation Charges Collect. 

NAME Pages Single Copies Quantities 

Each Each 

Getting a Start with Alfalfa in the Corn Belt. 12 $0.02 $0.01 

Getting a Start with Alfalfa in the Northwest. 36 02 01 

Sweet Clover in the Northwest 38 02 01 

Seed Corn, Do You Know It Will Grow 28 02 01 

I H C Demonstration Farms in the North. . . . 46 Free 01 

I H C Demonstration Farms in the South. . . . 20 Free 01 

Hog Cholera 12 02 01 

Humus — The Life of the Soil 12 02 01 

Storing Sweet Potatoes 8 02 01 

Dip the Cattle Tick 18 02 01 

Home Bulletin 24 02 01 

Helps for Wash Day 20 02 01 

Cold Pack Canning 28 03 02 

The Pit Silo 28 02 01 

Sweet Clover 68 05 04 

Diversified Farming is Safe Farming 32 05 04 

Boll Weevil 32 05 04 

For Better Crops in the South 100 05 04 

For Better Crops 160 05 04 

We Must Feed Ourselves 52 05 04 

A Silo on Every Farm 52 10 06 

Cow Makes Farming More Profitable 128 15 10 

Literature Especially Suited to Schools 

Grow a Garden 8 Free $0.10 doz. 

Poultry is Profitable 12 '^ |' 

Making Money from Pigs 8 

A Pig for Every Boy 4 

Fly Catechism 4 " $.30 per 100 

Pages Single Copies Quantities 
Each Each 

Studies in Alfalfa 32 $0.05 $0.04 

Story of Bread 32 05 04 

Creeds of Great Business Men 46 05 04 

Binder Twine Industry 48 20 15 

Harvest Scenes of the World 150 50 35 

Stencils — Paper patterns 3-ft. square for re- 
producing large charts. Subjects: Corn, 
Poultry, Oats, Soil, Weeds, Educational, 
The Fly, Alfalfa, Dairying, Live Stock, Can- 
ning. Per Set of 10 to 15 sheets on each 
subject 50 per set 

Fly Trap Pattern 05 . . . 

The "Rag Doll" for Testing Seed Corn — Per Doz. 

Cloth 10 $0.75 

Paper Sample Free 05 

Germination Cloth for Saw Dust Box — 

Cloth 20 

Paper Sample Free 10 

Send for our new catalog containing descriptions, illustrations and a 

complete list of all literature published by the Agricultural Extension 

Department. 

HARVESTER PRESS 



1_ Aurvni 




